Ukrainian officials allege that a fifth Russian general has been killed near the southern city of Kherson.
The Russian Lieutenant-General Andrei Mordvichev was killed when Ukrainian forces bombed an airfield in Chornobayivka, near Kherson airport, according to a post on social media by Ukraine’s army’s general staff.
Mr. Mordvichev’s death has yet to be confirmed by the Kremlin.
“As a result of the fire attack on the opponent, Lieutenant General Andriy Mordvichev, commander of the 8th military army of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation, was eliminated,” the general staff of Ukraine’s armed forces announced on social media.
“Based on the fact that the adversary has incurred significant manpower casualties, it is likely that the Russian military and political leadership would decide… to extend the length of the battle,” they continued.
Ukraine’s government alleged that Russia “continues to suffer huge losses” and that its military troops have “poor morale.”
On Saturday morning, Ukraine stated its fighter jets and anti-air missile troops had hit “12 enemy air targets: 2 planes, 3 helicopters, 3 unmanned aerial vehicles, and 4 cruise missiles.”
On Thursday, Ukraine’s president, Volodymr Zelensky, announced that a fourth Russian general had died in the combat.
He was later identified as Major General Oleg Mityaev by an interior ministry adviser.
According to the BBC, analysts believe that roughly 20 generals are in charge of Russian operations in Ukraine.
According to a source close to Mr. Zelensky’s inner circle, Ukraine has a military intelligence squad dedicated to assassinating high-ranking Russian officers.
“They’re looking for high-profile generals, pilots, and artillery commanders,” according to the insider.