Russian General Makarevich Commands Mission in Ukraine, Says GUR Chief

Caracas, November 27, 2025 – The head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR), Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, stated that a controversial Russian Colonel General, Oleg Leontievich Makarevich, is in Venezuela commanding a rotational military advisory mission. Documents provided by Budanov indicate that Makarevich is operating from Caracas with about 90 officers and troops, while the rest of the contingent is distributed between Maracaibo, La Guaira, and the remote Isla de Aves. The information could not be independently verified by the American outlet, which stated it had requested confirmation from the White House, the Pentagon, and Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). According to the Ukrainian intelligence chief, the Russian deployment is not related to the increase in U.S. troops in the region. The 62-year-old Russian general has been in Venezuela since the beginning of the year, and his stay has reportedly been extended, although commander rotations usually last about six months. The White House has also not hidden that it is paying close attention to Russian activities in the hemisphere. Budanov suggested that in the event of a potential U.S. military action, Russian personnel would remain 'behind the scenes,' with Moscow using their presence as a tool of diplomatic pressure. Budanov's statements came after an article by Intelligence Online reported the arrival in Venezuela of a Russian unit specialized in FPV drones. The expansion of U.S. military presence in the Caribbean, through the South Task Force Lanza, is seen by analysts as an attempt to pressure the regime of Nicolás Maduro. This revelation adds a new element to the complex regional geopolitical chessboard at a time when the United States has deployed a significant military force in the Caribbean under the Trump administration. Budanov stated that Makarevich leads the Russian Ministry of Defense's so-called Equatorial Task Force (FTE), made up of more than 120 personnel dedicated to training the Venezuelan Armed Forces in a range of capabilities: infantry instruction, drone employment—including FPV models—special forces operations, and signals intelligence provision. At the same time, he noted that the GUR has not detected any increase in the number of Russian troops since the start of the U.S. operation in the Caribbean. The Ukrainian intelligence chief also referred to reports from a high-ranking Russian politician, Alexei Zhuravlev, about a supposed shipment of Pantsir-S1 and Buk-M2E air defense systems to Venezuela. According to The New York Times, President Trump authorized CIA covert operations inside Venezuela, possibly aimed at 'preparing the battlefield' for potential future actions. When asked if Ukraine has an operational presence on Venezuelan territory, Budanov gave an ambiguous answer: 'We collect all the information on them,' he stated, without offering further details. This revelation, exclusively reported by The War Zone, adds a new element to the complex regional geopolitical chessboard at a time when the United States has deployed a significant military force in the Caribbean under the Trump administration. Budanov confirmed that they have only identified the presence of the Buk-M2, while they have no evidence of the deployment of Pantsir batteries. Additionally, additional documents shared by Budanov describe that the Russian FTE in Venezuela evaluates Venezuelan combat capabilities in armored vehicles, aircraft, artillery, drone systems, and even canine units, as well as assists in monitoring internal groups and foreign governments. Kiev also accuses him of ordering the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in 2023, an event that caused massive flooding and severe environmental and economic damage. Meanwhile, expectations are growing for Washington's decision on next steps in the region. The accuracy of this documentation also could not be confirmed. Makarevich, who is currently close to the Kremlin, was dismissed as commander of the Dnipro Troops Group in 2023 following the successful Ukrainian counter-offensive in Kherson. Among the deployed assets are the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, escorted by multiple warships and supported by B-52H bombers and F/A-18E/F fighters.