Funtikov Oleg Valentinovich

Funtikov Oleg Valentinovich, call sign “Spec” born on August 03, 1964 - former political officer of the Dnepr Brigade (Volunteer Assault Corps) and chief of staff of the Don Brigade. World karate champion. Deputy from the United Russia party. Member of the “The Union of Donbass volunteers (UDV)” and russian group “Combat Brotherhood”

He went to war in Ukraine as a volunteer in the summer of 2022 and repeatedly extended his contract. He fought mainly on the southern front, in particular in Kherson Oblast and Mykolaiv Oblast. Also participated in military operations in the Donetsk Oblas. For his crimes, he received the following medals: “For Courage,” “For Military Valor,” “For Service to the Motherland,” and “For Participation in the Special Military Operation.”

Participant in the “Time of Heroes” program - personnel program for special training, preparation of personnel for civil service and “formation of a new elite” of the Russian Federation among Russian veterans and participants of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Source: VK page “Penza Union of Cossacks,” June 27, 2025

Before participating in the war, he worked as a mentor officer and physical education teacher at Municipal Budgetary Educational Institution “Cadet School No. 46 of the city of Penza.” Since 2023, he has held the position of social coordinator at the Penza Oblast branch of the Russian State Fund for the Support of War Participants, “Defenders of the Fatherland.”

Source: Federation of WBE of Penza Oblast, January 22, 2018 https://sport-vbe.narod.ru/3213/kratkaja_biografija_funtikov_o.v..docx

In July 2022, he went to war as a volunteer. He served as part of the consolidated Cossack Brigade “Don” and spent six months on the front line. After returning, he continued his public and educational activities. In March 2025, he again signed a contract and was deployed to the front as part of the Cossack Reconnaissance and Assault Brigade “Dnepr.” According to information from an interview with Funtikov, on June 25, 2025, he was carrying out a combat mission west of the settlement of Vasylivka, Kherson Oblast, Ukraine.

In addition to mentions in interviews and numerous photos of his awards on his VKontakte page, Funtikov himself posted photos showing his presence on Ukrainian territory. For example, the picture below was taken at 7 Mykolaivske Shose Street, Kherson (the location of the Kherson Regional Blood Service Center).

Source: https://archive.is/WBKsz (Archive of photo from his personal VKontakte page)

Funtikov conducted “lessons of courage” in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, particularly in Kherson Oblast. His actions can be classified as the militarization and indoctrination of Ukrainian children in these territories.

In addition, he conducted such propaganda activities for temporarily displaced children from Ukraine. According to information from his post on July 27, 2023, this involved Ukrainian children from Kharkiv, Melitopol, and Mariupol.