A decorated Russian military commander was killed in Ukraine after being blown up on a landmine that may have been planted by another unit battling Kyiv’s forces.
Maj. Gen. Vladimir Zavadsky, 45, deputy commander of the 14th Army Corps, died Tuesday, according to a social media post from the Moscow Higher Combined Arms Command School. Zavadsky graduated from the military school, known as MROO “Kremlin,” in 2000.
Zavadsky was not killed in action, but rather died in a mine blast in the rear during a “senseless” relocation of his unit, reported the Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, which claims close ties to Russia’s security services.
“The investigation is considering the possibility of an explosion on a mine, which had been previously placed by a neighboring unit for the purpose of combating the enemy’s [sabotage and reconnaissance unit],” the channel reported, citing an unnamed source.
Meanwhile, efforts allegedly were being made to blame Zavadsky’s death on a Ukrainian artillery strike.
Russia’s Defense Ministry has yet to confirm the general’s death.
During his more than two decades of military service, Zavadsky commanded a motorized rifle battalion, platoon and company, and received an award for bravery. He is survived by his wife, Oksana, and their two sons.
Zavadsky is at least the 12th Russian general to be killed since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, reported the Russian Telegram channel “Important Stories.”
However, according to information from Japanese intelligence services, the number of fatalities among Russia’s high-ranking officers could be as high as 20.
In July, Lt. Gen. Oleg Tsokov was killed when a barrage of Storm Shadow missiles destroyed a hotel in the occupied city of Berdiansk, where Russian military commanders had been staying.
