Ukrainian forces have killed a Russian general near the besieged city of Kharkiv, the second Russian senior commander to die in the invasion.
Major General Vitaly Gerasimov, 45, was killed on Monday, the Chief Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine’s defence ministry said in a statement.
Gerasimov was the first deputy commander of Russia’s 41st army, and his death represents another major blow to President Vladimir Putin’s forces.
The general took part in the second Chechen war, the Russian military operation in Syria, and the annexation of Crimea, winning medals from those campaigns.
Click The Image To Know More About ELEOS SPECIALIST HOSPITAL👇
According to reports, Gerasimov was the nephew of Valery Gerasimov – the Chief of General Staff of Russia’s armed forces. On February 27, Valery Gerasimov was pictured meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin – sitting towards the end of a long table with Russian Défense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Vitaly Gerasimov’s death will come as a blow to the Kremlin, and is another sign that Putin’s invasion is not going according to plan.
His death comes after Russian media said last week that another military leader had been killed: Major General Andrei Sukhovetsky, 47, deputy commander of the 41st Combined Arms Army of the Central Military District.
Sukhovetsky died during a special operation in Ukraine, his comrade-in-arms Sergey Chipilev wrote on social media, according to Pravda.ru.
Reports have said that Sukhovetsky was shot and killed by a sniper near Mariupol, which is under siege by Russian forces.
The death of Sukhovetsky, who also took part in Russia’s military campaign in Syria, is also a major blow to the Russian military.
Russia’s 41st Combined Arms Army is a field army of the Russian Ground Forces, and is currently a part of the Central Military District.
It is understood that major elements of the 41st have been deployed to Ukraine to reinforce Western and Southern military districts fighting in Ukraine.
Russia’s defence ministry could not be immediately reached for comment. Reuters could not verify the report.
