The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies

In a significant escalation of hostilities, Ukrainian forces reportedly struck the Belbek military airfield in annexed Crimea on Wednesday, resulting in the alleged “liquidation” of a top Russian Air Force general. Local reports, including from multiple Russian Telegram channels, claim that Lieutenant General Alexander Tatarenko, the commander of the aviation unit at the Belbek air base, was among the casualties.

According to the Telegram channel Public Reserve Stugna, which boasts over 73,000 subscribers, the Ukrainian strike on the Belbek airfield resulted in the “liquidation” of 10 Russian military personnel, including General Tatarenko. The attack has raised concerns about the intensification of the conflict in the region and the potential consequences for Russia-Ukraine relations.

General Tatarenko, 63, had an extensive military career, serving in various capacities in Russia’s Far East, the Urals, Siberia, and the northern regions of the country. In 2016, he was appointed as the commander of Russia’s 14th Air Force and Air Defense Army of the Central Military District of the Russian Federation, according to Ukrainian publication RBC.

And another one bites the dust…

Russian media report that the commander of the aviation unit at Belbek air base in Ukraine's Russian-occupied Crimea, Lieutenant General Alexander Tatarenko, was killed in a Ukrainian missile strike on the air base. pic.twitter.com/iPD93tRB0F

— Euan MacDonald (@Euan_MacDonald) February 2, 2024

The reported attack comes in the aftermath of the Russian Defense Ministry’s claim that it thwarted an attack on the Black Sea peninsula, downing 20 Ukrainian missiles over Crimea and the Black Sea. The ministry stated that debris from the missiles fell on the territory of a military unit near the Belbek air base but insisted that no aircraft were damaged.

The conflicting narratives from Russian and Ukrainian sources underscore the complexity of the situation, with each side presenting its version of events. International observers and diplomatic circles are closely monitoring developments, calling for restraint and a peaceful resolution to avoid further escalation.

The alleged targeting of a high-ranking Russian military official adds a new dimension to the conflict, potentially intensifying the geopolitical ramifications. As details emerge and investigations are conducted, the global community awaits official responses from both Russia and Ukraine, hoping for a de-escalation of tensions in the region.