Vladimir Putin ‘loses his 11th general’ in Ukraine war as defenders ‘ambush his vehicle in Donbas’

Vladimir Putin was today hit by the death of Russia’s 11th general in his bloody war with Ukraine.

Major-General Roman Kutuzov was the chief of staff of the 29th Combined Arms Army, according to reports.

His vehicle was ambushed by Ukrainians and he died in a fight in Donbas, say sources.

His death is the 11th general, but the first such high ranking army officer in more than a month.

In addition, at least 49 colonels have been killed in the war with Ukraine.

Major-General Roman Kutuzov (pictured) was the chief of staff of the 29th Combined Arms Army, according to reports

The latest was Lt-Col Zaur Dimayev, deputy commander of the 4th battalion of the Akhmat Kadyrov special forces regiment.

He was a close associate of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.

In 2020, Kutuzov was head of the headquarters of the combined arms formation of Russia’s sprawling Eastern Military District.

The previous general to be killed was Kanamat ’Flop Gun’ Botashev, 63.

Ukraine today issued a picture claiming to be Major-General Roman Kutuzov but there was no immediate confirmation

His vehicle was ambushed by Ukrainians and he died in a fight in Donbas, say sources (Pictured: Vladimir Putin speaks during his interview with the Russia-1 TV channel)

He was a ‘pensioner pilot’ who was hit in his Su-25 after coming out of retirement to fly in Putin’s forces.

He was reportedly shot down by a Ukrainian Stinger missile.

There have been unconfirmed claims that Western countries are assisting Ukraine to target high-ranking Russian officers.

Russian sources say Kutuzov was killed in the area of Nikolaevka settlement, in the Popasnyansky district of the Luhansk People’s Republic, close to the frontline.