Denis Kashaev was born in Moscow, Russia in 1980 into a modest family. His father was an engineer and his mother was a mathematics teacher. His parents had a dream of immigrating to the United States. However, despite his father's efforts, they were never able to do so. Dennis grew up in Leningradskiy Prospect area of Moscow and attended State School 62. He had excellent grades and was ranked 5th in his class throughout middle and high school. During this time, the Soviet Union fell apart, and Denis was able to win a scholarship to attend college in the United States. He attended North Carolina State University for 4 years. Upon graduation, he returned home as he was conscripted into military service, which is mandatory in Russia. Given that Denis, did not attend a Russian university, he was no exempt from service, despite his father's best efforts. After completing basic training, in Kamyshin, he was assigned to the  56th Guards Air Assault Brigade, as a Jr. Sergeant.  He served in the Second Chechen war, rising to the rank of a Lieutenant.  His specialty included long range reconnaissance and counter guerilla warfare. In 2009, upon he was called to active duty once again with the onset of the Chernarussian Civil War. His unit was moved into the region to train pro-Russian separatists and act as an adviser. With the instability that followed over the years, Denis served an additional two tours until he was wounded by a sniper in 2015. He was flown back to Moscow and underwent several surgeries to remove the bullet from his back. He spent the next two years in recovery and physical therapy. By early 2020, he was fully recovered and re-instated to active duty. He received his new assigned to return to South Zagoria, this time being assigned to the 7th Guards Mountain Air Assault Division. As of yesterday December 1st, 2020 he boarded an Ilyushin Il-76 out of Kubinka air base outside of Moscow bound for South Zagoria. His orders are to report to his unit commander upon arrival.