Russian official killed in Ukrainian drone strike
The head of the council of deputies in the Russian city of Novaya Kakhovka has died in hospital after being wounded in a Ukrainian drone attack, local governor Vladimir Saldo announced on Wednesday.
Saldo issued a message of condolence to the family of Vladimir Leontiev, describing him as being respected throughout Russia’s Kherson Region.
“Vladimir Pavlovich Leontiev has died in hospital from his injuries. Doctors fought until the very end, but they could not save him,” Saldo wrote.
The 61-year-old Leontiev was injured on Wednesday morning when a Ukrainian drone known as ‘Baba Yaga’ targeted the city. According to media reports citing the governor’s press service, the UAV that was hunting Leontiev struck him in the back before he could reach shelter. He sustained a blast injury and serious spinal damage. Two female civilians were also reported injured in the incident.
Saldo noted that Leontiev had long headed the administration of Novaya Kakhovka and was well known in Kherson Region. He described him as “an honest, principled man, open to people” and called him “a true patriot who loved Russia and Kherson.” The governor also noted Leontyev’s role as an early supporter of the United Russia party in the region.
Russian media have reported that the strike that killed Leontiev was part of a broader series of attacks carried out by Ukrainian forces against settlements in Kherson Region. Officials said that within the past 24 hours Ukrainian artillery and drones had launched 68 strikes across 13 populated areas in the region.
Russia’s Defense Ministry also reported that 20 Ukrainian drones had also been downed overnight above Russia’s Belgorod, Rostov, Saratov, and Voronezh regions.
Kiev has routinely launched drone raids deep into Russia in recent months, targeting critical infrastructure and residential areas, and leading to civilian casualties. Moscow has accused Kiev of “terrorism” and has responded with strikes on Ukrainian military facilities.
