[Combat] In Stavropol, a blast killed Major Zaur Gurtsiev, who led air operations during Russia’s assault on Mariupol. (i.imgur.com)

submitted 5 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Moment of the explosion in Stavropol that killed Major Zaur Gurtsiev, who led the air component of the assault on Mariupol, which claimed the lives of thousands of civilians

According to information published on the website of the Russian military recruitment program “Time of Heroes,” Gurtsiev headed the air operations during the assault on Mariupol. Ukrainian law enforcement agencies classify the airstrikes on Mariupol as a war crime.

“Major Zaur Gurtsiev, despite his relatively young age, led the air component of the operation to ‘liberate’ Mariupol. He implemented his own innovations in missile guidance technology, which significantly increased their accuracy and effectiveness, including in striking the Azov supply base,” the “Time of Heroes” website states.

According to estimates by Ukrainian authorities, the fighting in Mariupol resulted in at least 22,000–25,000 deaths, including 5,000–7,000 people killed under the rubble of bombed buildings.

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[-] [email protected] 11 points 5 days ago

Great job!

[-] [email protected] 7 points 5 days ago

[-] [email protected] 5 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

Was it an fpv? Trying to decipher what exploded and can't identify anything planted that blew up, but if it was an fpv I assume they would have noticed the sound.

[-] [email protected] 6 points 5 days ago

Carried on the person according to this post https://bsky.app/profile/igorsushko.bsky.social/post/3lqcbmy2h4k2r

[-] [email protected] 4 points 5 days ago

At the base of the tree, it looks like a bag/backpack bomb.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 5 days ago

Yeah it looked like the tree but you're right there's a bag or something there.

[-] [email protected] 4 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

So the explosive was put on the tree by someone else besides these 2 guys? Looks like the bomber knew he would be there meeting the other guy (apparently these 2 were gay couple)

[-] [email protected] 5 points 4 days ago

A source from VChK-OGPU shared details of the explosion that killed Zaur Gurtsiev, a veteran of the “special military operation” and first deputy mayor of Stavropol. It was established that Gurtsiev had met Nikita Penkov through a gay dating platform.

Investigators found explicit correspondence between the two, including the exchange of nude photos. Gurtsiev had invited his new acquaintance for private meetings several times, but the encounters were postponed due to his business trips — until the night of the incident.

Gurtsiev and Penkov had agreed on a meeting place in advance. As soon as they got close, an explosion occurred. Preliminary data suggests the IED was hidden in a body bag worn by Nikita Penkov. The device contained shrapnel — specifically, pellets used in pneumatic weapons.

According to early findings, Penkov had allegedly been hired by unknown individuals to collect compromising material on Gurtsiev and was provided with “special equipment” capable of transmitting video. The IED had been built into this device.