Russian Military Official, Stanislav Rzhitsky, Shot Dead in Krasnodar
A Russian military official, Stanislav Rzhitsky, 42, was tragically gunned down while on his morning run in the southern city of Krasnodar, according to Russia’s top investigative body. Rzhitsky had previously commanded a submarine in the Black Sea and was listed as an alleged war criminal on the Ukrainian website Myrotvorets (Peacemaker). The website, known for its extensive database of Ukraine’s enemies, had even superimposed the word “Liquidated” on Rzhitsky’s photograph. Ukrainian officials have denied involvement, but Russian media is pointing fingers at Ukraine.
Anton Gerashchenko, a Ukrainian interior ministry adviser, responded to the allegations by stating that Russian police have yet to find any surveillance camera footage showing the crime. However, he did not confirm or deny Ukraine’s involvement. Meanwhile, Russian Telegram channel Baza, which has ties to the security services, suggested that the killer might have used an app to track Rzhitsky’s jogging routes and daily routines in Krasnodar.
According to reports from Russian state media and war bloggers, Rzhitsky held the position of deputy head of military mobilization in the city and had previously commanded the “Krasnodar” submarine in the Black Sea. He was shot four times in the back and chest, leading to instant death. The Russian Defence Ministry described the Krasnodar submarine as a diesel-electric vessel designed for various naval operations, including combat against surface ships and submarines.
Prompting further speculation, a Telegram channel associated with self-proclaimed pro-Ukraine partisans claimed that Rzhitsky was possibly involved in a submarine-launched cruise missile strike in July 2022. The strike, which occurred in the Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia, resulted in the deaths of at least 23 individuals, including a 4-year-old girl. However, no evidence was presented to support the claim.
This incident marks the latest in a series of targeted assassinations of individuals listed on the Myrotvorets database. Two other pro-war Russian figures have been killed inside Russia since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine 17 months ago. Journalist Darya Dugina was killed in a bomb attack in August, while war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky suffered the same fate in April. Russia has accused Ukraine of orchestrating these attacks, but Kyiv continues to deny any involvement and suggests that they are a result of internal conflicts within Russia.
The investigation into Rzhitsky’s murder is ongoing, with additional reporting provided by Vladimir Soldatkin and Maxim Rodionov. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, leaving many questioning the motives behind such acts of violence.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
