Ukraine's intelligence chief reacts to death rumors of top Russian commander in Crimea
Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence (Photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
After strikes by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on military facilities in occupied Crimea, information emerged regarding the possible death of the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov. However, Ukrainian intelligence has no confirmation of this information, reports Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Earlier, the Ukrainian military conducted a series of strikes on Russian military objects in the occupied territory of Crimea.
Later, information started circulating online indicating that as a result, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Valery Gerasimov, could have been injured or even killed.
Kyrylo Budanov explains that he lacks corroborative information regarding this.
Valery Gerasimov
He is a former Soviet and Russian military officer. He has been the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the first deputy defense minister of Russia since November 9, 2012. He holds the rank of Army General.
Since January 11, 2023, he has been commanding the group of Russian troops engaged in the war against Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces allegedly sought to eliminate Gerasimov
In May 2022, American officials confirmed his presence in Izyum, Ukraine. He purportedly arrived there to "alter the course" of the war as Russia's advance slowed.
In December, news emerged that the US attempted to hinder Ukrainian military attempts to eliminate Chief of the Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov when he visited the conflict zone.
Strike on a command center in Crimea
Yesterday, January 4, a series of explosions occurred in Crimea. Photos and videos online depicted apparent hits on the peninsula.
Later, the Ukrainian Armed Forces confirmed they had struck an enemy command post near Sevastopol in Crimea. Details about Russian casualties remain unconfirmed.
It has also been reported today that the Ukrainian military yesterday targeted Russian ammunition depots in temporarily occupied Crimea
