A Russian colonel has reportedly been killed after “stepping on a mine” while visiting troops on the frontline.
Ospanov Arman Tolegenovichdies was reportedly aiming to give Russian forces a “morale boost” in the occupied territories when he died.
The Russian colonel’s death was first shared on Russian Telegram channels and then shared by Kyiv’s internal affairs minister, Anton Gerashchenko.
His death was also shared on Twitter, by an account dedicated to tracking Russian deaths - Russian Officers killed in Ukraine.
Russian colonel dies after 'stepping on mine' while visiting troops to 'boost morale'
The account, which has allegedly tracked over 3,300 Russian officer deaths, gathers its information from funeral notices, obituaries, Russian news outlets, memorial plaques, and monuments.
Russian Telegram account Airborne Forces for Honesty and Justice appeared to confirm Tolegenovichdies died in action in a post on Monday.
“We found out about this yesterday, but were waiting for the family to be informed,” the post said.
“Unfortunately, our good comrade, Colonel Arman Ospanov, died at the front.
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Drone footage by Ukrainian military channels showed shells blasting through Russian border posts and fighting vehiclesReuters/ Liberty of Russia Legion Press Service“He fulfilled his military duty to the last.”
“This is a huge loss for all paratroopers, since Ospanov headed the Airborne Armored Service.
“We will report on the circumstances of his death later, when we receive permission and know that this will not harm anyone.”
Vladimir PutinReutersDuring a New Year’s Day visit to injured troops in the capital, Putin said that “Western countries are helping our enemy”.
He said that the West was the antithesis to the “existence of Russia”, branding them the true “enemy”.
The Russian President said: “The point is not that they are helping our enemy.
“They are our enemy. They are solving their own problems with their hands. That is what it is all about.
“This has been the case for centuries, unfortunately, and continues to be the case today.”
"Ukraine itself is not our enemy,” he added, despite the war Russia is waging on Kyiv, which will soon reach its two-year mark.
