A third Russian army general, Major General Andriy Kolesnikov, has been killed in Ukraine, one of the major losses suffered by the Russian invaders.
Kolesnikov’s death has been confirmed by a Western defense official.
The general was commander of the Eastern Military District, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense’s website.
Gerasimov, chief of staff of the 41st Combined Arms Army, was reportedly killed outside Kharkiv.
Last week, the 41st Combined Arms Army’s deputy commander, Maj. Gen. Andrei Sukhovetsky was also killed.
Russia is yet to confirm all the three deaths.
The Western official noted for context that three Russian general staff officers were killed during the whole Syrian conflict.
Other two generals killed in Ukraine were Maj. Gen. Vitaly Gerasimov and Maj. Gen. Andrei Sukhovetsky.
Though the Russians have increased the bombing of many cities and are approaching the capital Kyiv, President Zelensky claimed on Saturday that Ukrainian forces have inflicted the “biggest blow to Russia’s army in decades,”
He said 31 Russian tactical battalion groups had lost capability, and more than 360 Russian tanks have been destroyed.
Zelensky added that groups of Russian troops were surrendering to Ukrainian forces, but that Russia is now recruiting fighters, reservists, conscripts, and mercenaries to “outnumber” Ukrainian forces.
