Vladimir Putin’s ally was gunned down at his home in Crimea during a Ukrainian “special operation”, according to Kyiv’s security service.
Oleg Tsaryov, 53, was in serious condition according to Vladimir Rogov – a Russian-backed official in occupied Zaporizhzhia. He said Tsaryov was shot, not stabbed as previously reported on social media.
Rogov wrote on Telegram: “Oleg’s condition is very serious. He is currently in intensive care. There was no stabbing. Oleg was shot.”
Tsaryov is a pro-Russian, Ukrainian-born politician and businessman who served in Ukraine’s parliament. He was seen as one of Putin’s top choices to run a puppet regime in Kyiv if Russia had successfully toppled its government at the start of the war.
Russian officials have not yet commented on the shooting, however, a Ukrainian intelligence official said the hit was carried out on orders by Ukraine’s domestic security agency as part of a “special operation”, according to the New York Times.
Targeting prominent Russian and pro-Russian figures has long been part of Ukraine’s war strategy and has continued as fighting on the frontline has bogged down.
Although the frontlines in Ukraine have remained largely static for months, fierce fighting continues along the front.
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Ukrainian territorial defence force destroy Russian T-90 near Avdiivka
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In the east, around Avdiivka, Russia has launched waves of attacks in an attempt to regain the initiative in Donetsk.
Moscow’s forces have been repelled so far, however, with Ukraine claiming to have destroyed hundreds of Russian vehicles.
Unverified footage which has circulated on social media since Russia began the offensive appears to show numerous Russian tanks and fighting vehicles destroyed.
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