A Russian general in charge of Putin's nuclear bombers has reportedly been shot in the head and stomach in the Saratov Oblast, southwestern Russia. Major General Nikolai Varpakhovich is said to be in a critical condition after an unidentified motorcyclist opened fire outside a private residence in the Engels district.
Details of the attack
Two shots were reportedly fired from a pistol, with the general struck in the head and abdomen. No suspect has been apprehended at this stage. The Russian Investigative Committee said a probe had been launched into the attempted murder of a military service member who was shot several times in the city of Engels in the Saratov region on Thursday. While the committee did not name the military service member, Russian telegram channels widely reported it was Mr Varpakhovich.
Context of growing dissent
The incident comes as Russia faces growing criticism over its war on Ukraine, including from within the country itself. Anti-war politician Lev Shlosberg, the 63-year-old deputy leader of the Russian party Yabloko, was convicted of spreading false information about the conflict after speaking out against Russian strikes on Ukraine. Shlosberg said before sentencing: "The very concept of a crime, understood as an act that poses a genuine danger to society, has been distorted in this country. Under these new laws, crimes now include the free expression of peaceful convictions, standing up for human dignity, protesting against violence, refusing to accept lies, and showing compassion, empathy and mercy towards others. Virtue is persecuted, while vice is encouraged and exalted."
Impact on the conflict
Putin has tightened restrictions on dissent since the invasion began, with authorities repeatedly targeting those who publicly challenge the Kremlin's narrative. Yet on Thursday, Putin acknowledged that Moscow had underestimated Ukraine's ability to strike energy facilities on Russian territory. Kyiv has increasingly focused its attacks on Russia's oil and energy infrastructure, saying the strikes are intended to disrupt the resources that help fund Moscow's war effort. The attacks have come alongside repeated large-scale Russian bombardments of Ukrainian cities and crucial infrastructure.
The escalation has also raised concerns over the safety of civilian aviation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned this week that Russian airspace could no longer be considered safe and called on airlines to avoid routes over the country as the conflict continues to spill beyond the battlefield. He said: "We want to warn every airline that uses Russian airspace, every insurer, everyone who still uses key Russian airports: the Russian sky is becoming completely dangerous."
