Vladimir Putin recently suffered a significant loss as 18 high-ranking military officers, including four colonels, perished in a tragic incident at their command post during a Ukrainian sabotage operation. Among the casualties was Colonel Ilya Makhotin, 45, who served as the deputy chief of staff of the Rocket Forces and Artillery Department of the 35th Combined Arms Army.
The devastating fire that engulfed the command post in the occupied Zaporizhzhia region is believed to have been a coordinated effort by Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence and infiltrators working within Russian territory. The fire, ignited near the command post, quickly spread, trapping the officers inside due to smoke and carbon monoxide, leading to a fatal outcome.
While 13 officers were successfully evacuated from the site, four others, including intelligence chief Lt-Col Sergey Konoyko, could not be rescued. The incident also claimed the lives of six army majors. The destruction of the command post dealt a severe blow to Putin’s forces, with the full extent of the disaster only now coming to light, including the burial of two of the deceased colonels.
In a separate operation, Ukraine targeted key Russian infrastructure, launching drones that struck the Gazprom Neftekhim plant in Salavat, Bashkortostan region, causing significant damage. Additionally, an oil refinery in the Volgograd region was hit, impacting Russia’s oil production and supply chain for its armed forces.
Tensions escalated further as Russian drones breached Polish airspace, leading to confrontations with Polish and NATO aircraft. This incident marked a critical point in the escalating conflict, prompting warnings of potential open conflict not seen since World War Two. International condemnation followed as countries like Romania and the UK protested against Russia’s airspace violations.
The situation underscores the deepening rift between NATO allies and Russia, with the conflict showing no signs of abating as both sides continue to engage in strategic maneuvers and military actions.