Ukraine Kills Russian General Anton Grunis in Donetsk, Weeks After Putin Decoration

Ukraine said its drone forces have killed a Russian general in eastern Ukraine just weeks after he was decorated as a “war hero” by Vladimir Putin.

Major General Anton Grunis was awarded the “Hero of Russia” medal after it was claimed he led the capture of Kostiantynivka in Ukraine, although independent military analysts confirmed the city remained contested and that the victory claim was Russian propaganda.

Ukrainian drone commander Robert Brovdi said Grunis had been killed in a nighttime strike in the Donetsk region.

“General Grunis was eliminated on September 12,” Brovdi wrote in a Telegram post on Wednesday.

In Moscow, his death was confirmed by commander Apti Alaudinov, but Russian officials gave no further details.

Meanwhile, overnight Russian airstrikes on Kyiv and the port city of Odesa left at least 18 injured, while the Ukrainian military warned of the arrival of jet-powered Russian drones in several Ukrainian cities.

A child was among three injured when Russia struck a 19-story apartment building in Odesa, authorities there said on Telegram.