Russian Major General Sergei Goryachev killed in Ukrenian missile strike,A top Russian general has become the country’s highest-ranked soldier to die this year after a Ukrainian missile strike in the Zaporizhzhia region, according to Russian correspondents and Ukraine’s military.
Major-General Sergei Goryachev was killed in an “enemy rocket attack” during heavy fighting on the southern front late on Monday night, reported Russian military blogger Yuri Kotenok, describing him as “one of the brightest and most effective commanders, combining the highest professionalism with personal courage.”
Major General Sergei Goryachev, the chief of staff of the 35th Combined Arms Army, was reportedly killed on June 12 amid heavy fighting around the so-called “Vremivka Ledge” region in southern Donetsk, where Ukraine has liberated four villages in their counter-offensive.
Goryachev, who is at least the fifth high-ranking Russian general to die in Ukraine, had previously served in Transnistria, the self-declared militarised region of Moldova, and Tajikistan.
Ukraine has launched a counter offensive in recent days aimed a recapturing territory from Russian forces.
There was no immediate confirmation from Russia’s defence ministry but Kremlin-aligned media also reported the death of General Goryachev, who commanded troops in Transnistria and Tajikistan as he rose through the ranks, with tributes paid to the late commander. “Eternal memory to the hero,” posted one popular Russian Telegram channel.
Ukraine’s military claimed responsibility, stating the general “was eliminated as a result of the successful actions of the Ukrainian Army”, as Kyiv’s counteroffensive continues.
The commander is believed to be the first Russian general – and the highest-ranked Russian soldier – to be killed on the battlefield this year. At least four Russian generals were killed in action last year, as Ukraine appeared to pursue a “decapitation strategy” of targeting enemy commanders.
General Goryachev was stationed at a frontline location in Zaporizhzhia that has come under intense fire during Ukraine’s counteroffensive, Russian military bloggers reported. Ukraine claims to have captured several villages in the region but has lost several Western armoured vehicles.
Ukrainian bloggers speculated that he was killed by a British Storm Shadow cruise missile, the first and only known long-range missiles to be supplied to Ukraine by coalition partners, which Ukrainian and Russian media claim have been used heavily in strikes behind Russian lines.
Western analysts say Ukraine is using new long-range capabilities in “shaping operations” intended to create better conditions for offensive operations, striking targets such as fuel depots and command posts in order to weaken Russian defences