Maj-Gen Anton Grunis, a 46-year-old Russian general whom Vladimir Putin personally promoted and tipped for the highest rank, has been killed by Ukrainian forces. His death comes just 18 days after he received the Gold Star of Hero of Russia, the country's highest honour, along with a ceremonial weapon, according to reports from Russian war channels.
Known for 'cruelty' among troops
Grunis was hailed by Putin as a supreme battlefield commander and promoted by Moscow's propaganda machine as a potential future army marshal, the highest rank. However, he was known to servicemen and their relatives for his "cruelty". Ukrainian officer and blogger Anatoly Shtefan, known as "Shtirlitz", posted Grunis's photograph saying he was "successfully demobilised", meaning killed.
The news was confirmed by Russian pro-war channels despite no official announcement from Russia's Defence Ministry. The exact circumstances of his death are unknown, but Russia reportedly suspects a "leak" of details of his location from its own side.
Putin's rare praise and 'lying general' label
Putin had previously offered rare praise for Grunis, known as "The Terrible", saying he was "fighting brilliantly." Yet the general was also branded the "lying general" for boasting to Putin about the "capture" of strategic Kostiantynivka, even though it remains under Ukrainian control.
Troopers serving under Grunis had previously accused the commander of "illegal detention of servicemen in basements and pits, [and] fraud involving servicemen's money". One demanded: "Stop the bloodshed, stop Grunis."
Death confirmed by pro-war sources
Pro-war Russian outlet ANNA-News, embedded with Russian forces, said the general's death had been confirmed by sources inside Grunis's own 4th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade. His death was also announced by Suvorov Brotherhood, a community representing alumni of Russia's Suvorov military schools.
Pro-Putin media had predicted Grunis could rise to the rank of marshal. No serving Russian commander currently holds the rank, which has not been bestowed for almost 29 years. Earlier there were unconfirmed reports that Lt-Gen Sergei Milchakov, 53, commander of the 51st Army of the Southern Military District, was the victim of a precision missile strike in occupied Donetsk.
