Ukrainian forces reportedly launched two long-range Storm Shadow missiles, targeting military headquarters and claiming the life of a high-ranking Russian officer.
Local media sources revealed that Colonel Pavel Alexandrovich Kropotov, commander of Russia‘s 59th Guards Communications Brigade, died in the April 13 attack.
Colonel Anatoly Stefan “Stirlitz,” a Ukrainian military figure, disclosed the news via his Telegram channel. Colonel Kropotov, whose unit specialiced in establishing battlefield communications networks, was fatally struck during the assault.
The Storm Shadow missiles, donated by the UK to Ukraine in May 2023, were unleashed as part of Ukraine‘s counteroffensive strategy initiated last June to reclaim occupied Russian territories.
The loss of Colonel Kropotov was mourned by more than 200 individuals who attended his funeral service in Yekaterinburg, Russia, according to local publication URA.ru.
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One of his colleagues said: “For me and for all the guys, Pavel Alexandrovich was like a father. Modest, kind, humane, always helped in solving any problems.”
Reports indicate that the missile strike on Luhansk resulted in significant destruction, with several explosions rattling the city’s outskirts.
Residential buildings sustained damage, and windows were shattered, as confirmed by a representative of the local Russian security forces.
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Colonel Kropotov served in various capacities across Russia, including the Far East and Syria between 2015 and 2016, before being stationed near Yekaterinburg.
The conflict’s toll on both sides continues to mount, with conflicting estimates of casualties. While the General Staff of Ukraine‘s Armed Forces reported 870 Russian soldiers lost within 24 hours, bringing the total to 457,830 since the war’s onset, official figures from Moscow remain elusive.
Similarly, Kyiv refrains from disclosing its updated casualty count. Leaked intelligence assessments suggest Ukraine has suffered over 124,500 casualties, including thousands of fatalities.
Tyler Mitchell