Vladimir Putin has lost another top commander after a missile hit an airbase in occupied Crimea.
Lt-Gen Alexander Tatarenko, 63, was the most senior of 10 military officers killed in the attack on the Belbek airbase, which he oversaw.
The facility was used for strikes on Ukraine and to consolidate Russia’s hold on the Black Sea peninsula.
The strike is understood to have destroyed a Russian radar and communications facility as well as military equipment.
Lt-Gen Alexander Tatarenko was the most senior of the 10 military officers killed in the attack on the Belbek airbase
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There are also unconfirmed reports of damage to a fighter aircraft.
Whilst there has been no official announcement, Tatarenko's death has been reported on the social media platform Telegram.
Posting on the platform, Spy Dossier claimed that “seven British-French-made Storm Shadow/SCALP ALCMs were launched toward the airfield.
“Four were shot down by air defence forces, three hit the target. In particular, between 5.31pm and 5.42pm on Wednesday.
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Tatarenko's death has been reported on the social media platform Telegram
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“Two missiles hit the command post of the 38th Fighter Aviation Regiment. Another hit the airfield communications point.”
The channel also confirmed that 10 military personnel had been killed in the attack, including Tatarenko.
Another channel known as Crimean Wind added: “10 Russian military personnel were liquidated, including the commander of the aviation squadron, Lieutenant General Alexander Tatarenko.”
Tatarenko is believed to be the 13th Russian commander killed in the war, which began two years ago in February 2022.
Putin’s Su-34 bomber was taken down over the Luhansk region on Monday (stock pic)
GettyHe was a pilot on Su-17, Su-27 and An-26 planes.
Earlier this week, Ukrainian forces shot down a £40million Su-34 bomber, bringing Moscow’s total aircraft losses to 332.
It was taken down over the Luhansk region on Monday, Kyiv’s military spokesperson Andrii Kovalyov confirmed and the status of the crew remains unknown.
However, Russia disputed the claim straight away via the Telegram war channel FighterBomber.