Russian Strategic Bomber Chief Reportedly Shot in Engels, Home to Tu-95 and Tu-160 Fleet

Live updates

1. 12d ago

   Russian Strategic Bomber Chief Shot in Assassination Attempt

   A Russian Aerospace Forces general and strategic bomber chief was shot and wounded in the Saratov region. Multiple reports indicate the officer was shot in the head during an attempted assassination. The target is identified as the general accused of masterminding the strike on Kyiv's Okhmatdyt children's hospital, for whom the SBU had previously announced suspicion. The attack occurred near Engels, a critical hub for Russia's Tu-95MS and Tu-160 long-range aviation fleet.

   Why it matters

   The Okhmatdyt hospital strike remains a high-profile war crime allegation involving the targeting of children's medical facilities in Kyiv. Engels-2 serves as a primary base for the nuclear-capable bombers used in strategic strikes. An attack on a high-ranking commander at this location suggests a security breach at a sensitive military site.

   What is confirmed

   • A Russian Aerospace Forces general was shot and wounded in the Saratov region.
   • The targeted general is linked to the strike on Kyiv's Okhmatdyt children's hospital.
   • The incident took place in the Saratov region near Engels, home to the Tu-95 and Tu-160 bomber fleets.
   • The general was shot in the head.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The attack occurred specifically near Engels-2.

   What to watch next

   • Official confirmation of the general's identity and current medical status
   • Statements from the Russian Ministry of Defense regarding the security breach at Engels
   Sources used for this update (13)

   1. UNITED24 Media — Russian Strategic Bomber Chief Reportedly Shot in Engels, Home to Tu-95 and Tu-160 Fleet
   2. CNN — Russian general accused of masterminding the attack against Kyiv’s children’s hospital injured in assassination attempt
   3. Українська правда — Russian general linked to strike on Kyiv's Okhmatdyt hospital shot – Russian media
   4. The Moscow Times — Aerospace Forces General Shot and Wounded in Saratov Region, Reports Say
   5. New York Post — Russian nuclear chief who ordered strike on Ukrainian children’s hospital shot in head in attempted assassination
   6. The Times — Russian general linked to attack on children’s hospital ‘shot in head’
   7. ІА Король Данило — In Russia, a general was shot, to whom the SBU announced suspicion in the case of the strike on "Okhmatdyt"
   8. Euronews.com — General charged over Kyiv children's hospital strike shot in Russia
   9. The Moscow Times — Aerospace Forces General Reportedly Shot and Wounded in Saratov Region
   10. The Daily Beast — Putin’s Nuke Bomber General Shot in New Assassination Bid
   11. Ynetnews — Russian bomber commander reportedly shot in head as Ukraine strikes Sochi port
   12. united24media.com — Russian Strategic Bomber Chief Reportedly Shot in Engels, Home to Tu-95 and Tu-160 Fleet
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