According to multiple officials and news outlets, Ukrainian defense forces assassinated a senior Russian officer earlier this week as Russia's "military operation" continues.

Major General Andrey Sukhovetsky, deputy commander of the Russian 41st Combined Arms Army, was reportedly shot by a sniper while Ukrainian soldiers were repelling a Russian offensive.

In a social media post, Sergey Chipilyov of the Russian Paratroopers' Airborne Forces Union verified the general's death.

"With great sadness, we learned of our friend Major-General Andrey Aleksandrovich Sukhovetsky's tragic death in Ukraine during a special operation," Chipilyov stated. "We extend our heartfelt sympathies to his family."

The Russian Ministry of Defense has not yet released a statement on the incident. On the other hand, President Vladimir Putin recently announced in a speech that a general had perished during the invasion.

Sukhovetsky, 47, was a three-year commander of the 7th Airborne Assault Division and a "highly decorated" military leader. He was one of the soldiers sent during the Chechen war, the Abkhazian conflict, and the Syrian intervention.

His demise is regarded as a "major setback" for Russia and is interpreted by many as a sign that the invasion is not proceeding according to plan.

Initial Casualty Report

Russia reported on Wednesday that almost 500 of its soldiers had been killed in the country's ongoing onslaught on military and administrative sites in Ukraine.

Additionally, it was revealed that 1,597 Russian servicemen had been wounded since the assault began.

Although unsubstantiated, the Russian defense ministry stated that the military killed 2,870 Ukrainian soldiers and "nationalists" and injured 3,700 others.

Ukraine has not yet responded to Russia's initial casualty report. However, its health ministry reported that at least 352 civilians had been killed, including 14 children.