A Russian general linked to Ukraine's war has been shot in the head and abdomen during an ambush near a military base, according to multiple reports. Major General Nikolai Varpakhovich, commander of a heavy bomber division, was targeted by a motorbike gunman in the Saratov Oblast, southwest of Russia. He was airlifted to Moscow in serious condition, officials confirmed. Varpakhovich is already under investigation by Ukraine for alleged involvement in a 2024 strike on a children's hospital in Kyiv.
The attack comes amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with no significant progress in peace talks. President Vladimir Putin has expressed openness to a peace deal, but Kyiv remains skeptical. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Mark Carney has warned that he would confront Putin directly at the upcoming G20 summit, urging Russia to withdraw from Ukraine.
Russian officials have denied recent claims of a potential military mobilization, calling such rumors "disinformation." The incident highlights the escalating risks for Russian military personnel as the conflict continues. Varpakhovich's condition remains unclear, but his survival could have major implications for both sides in the war.
