One of Vladimir Putin’s most senior paratroopers was gunned down by a “sniper” during a special operation in Ukraine.
One of Vladimir Putin’s most senior paratroopers was gunned down by a “sniper” during a special operation in Ukraine.
Major-General Andrey Sukhovetsky, 47, was the deputy commander of the 41st Combined Arms Army of the Central Military District.
There has been no official announcement over his death but a military source confirmed: “This is true. Sniper.”
His funeral back in Russia is scheduled for Saturday.
Russia has admitted to 498 deaths in the Ukraine “special military operation” – but the figure is almost certainly higher.
He is the most senior known casualty, and a blow to Putin in another sign his war effort is not going to plan.
Sukhovetsky was a highly respected paratrooper, famed for leading training missions in “hostile territory”.
It is not confirmed where he died but it is suspected to have happened during an attempt to land in Hostomel.
On the first day of the war, an assault by airborne forces just outside Kyiv was met with strong resistance from the Ukrainians.
Defenders shot down a number of the Mi-8 troop-carrying helicopters during the assault.
Sergey Chipilyov, of the All-Russian Union Airborne Forces Union of Russian Paratroopers, posted: “With great pain, we received the tragic news about the death of our friend, Major-General Andrey Aleksandrovich Sukhovetsky, in Ukraine during a special operation.
“We express our deepest condolences to his family.”
Until 2021, he headed the Novorossiysk 7th Guards Airborne Assault Mountain Division, which specialised in combat in mountainous areas.