Russian Major General Andrei Kolesnikov killed in war; Ukraine military confirms death

In a major blow to Russian President Vlimir Putin's plan to inve Ukraine, country has lost its topmost military official during  war in Ukraine. According to multiple media reports, Russian Major General Andrei Kolesnikov, who was believed to be commander of 29th Combined Arms troop, was killed in Ukrainian territory on Friday. Notably, this was third such blow that hit Putin's army within two weeks of invasion.

Hours after news was broken by several Ukrainian media outlets, it was later confirmed by Ukraine's military on Twitter.

" Russian invers continue to lose ir officers in war against Ukraine," re tweet by Ukraine's armed forces as it announced general's purported death.

While speaking to British outlet Mirror, a Western official told on condition of anonymity that top military official killed today was responsible for multiple anti-Ukrainian operations. It is worth mentioning Kolesnikov’s death follows killing of Major General Vitaly Gerasimov, chief of staff of 41st Army.

As per Ukrainian Army, he was killed outside Kharkiv alongside senior officers, and Major General Andrei Sukhovetsky. Notably, death of Sukhovetsky was also mentioned by Putin in his speech on March 3 - eighth day of attack. He was first general to be killed by a sniper.

Around 2,000-4,000 Russian forces killed in Ukraine, says US General

Meanwhile, US Defense Department informed legislators that around 2,000-4,000 Russian soldiers died since Moscow announced a full-fledged war against Ukraine. According to a report by Washington Post, Lieutenant General Scott D. Berrier, Director of Defence Intelligence Agency, claimed that Russian forces have suffered heavy damages in ongoing conflict between two nations.

However, Lt Gen Berrier said that he h low confidence in figures as data were mainly based on some "intelligence sources" as well as "open sources". 

As per media report, US General’s reference to open source data likely refers to estimates me public by credible outside groups monitoring conflict. Meanwhile, he affirmed that Ukrainian forces and civilians did a courageous job by preventing Russian troops from entering national capital Kyiv with limited resources. 

Image: Twitter/@ArmedForcesUkr/AP