Russell Bentley

Russell Bentley, born in 1960, also known as 'Texas', is an American man who served in the Vostok Battalion and XAH Spetsnaz Battalion in 2014, 2015, and 2017 on the side of the Donetsk People's Republic. Bentley gained notoriety in 2022 for his self-declared communist beliefs and his YouTube channel, which was later deleted. He attracted global attention for his statements and videos expressing his intention to liberate Ukraine from 'Nazis'. Rolling Stone covered his story, dubbing him a 'hardcore Texas leftist' turned frontline Putin propagandist. In July 2016, Bentley was baptized into the Russian Orthodox Church. His activities have been associated with the Russian information war against Ukraine.