Russian general accused of striking the children's hospital in Kyiv has been shot dead

Russian General Accused of Striking Children's Hospital in Kyiv Shot

In Russia's Saratov region, Major General Nikolay Varpakhovich, accused of organizing the missile strike on the "Okhmatdyt" children's hospital in Kyiv, has been shot.

The incident occurred on the morning of September 3 in the village of Probuzhdeniye in the Engels district. An unidentified individual arrived on a motorcycle, approached Varpakhovich at close range as he was leaving a store, fired two shots, and then fled the scene. One of the bullets hit his face, and the other hit his body.

The general was hospitalized in critical condition and was later taken to Moscow for treatment. Russian authorities have not yet disclosed the identity of the wounded serviceman.

Nevertheless, military Telegram channels have identified him as Nikolay Varpakhovich, commander of the 22nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Division within Russia's Long-Range Aviation. According to ASTRA, the village of Probuzhdeniye is one of Varpakhovich's registered addresses.

The city of Engels is located approximately 850 kilometers from Moscow. One of Russia's main strategic aviation facilities, the Engels-2 airbase, is located here.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) charged Varpakhovich in absentia in connection with the case involving the July 8, 2024, missile strike on the "Okhmatdyt" children's hospital in Kyiv. According to the Ukrainian investigation, he ordered the attack, in which a Kh-101 cruise missile was used.

As a result of the attack, two people were killed, and more than 30 people, including nine children, were injured. According to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, 627 children were undergoing treatment at the hospital at the time of the strike.

On August 31, the Security Service of Ukraine announced that evidence had also been gathered against another Russian serviceman alongside Varpakhovich — Colonel Aleksandr Lutovinov, commander of the missile brigade of the 49th Combined Arms Army. The Ukrainian side accuses him of organizing the missile strike on the Sapphire Hotel in Kramatorsk on August 24, 2024. A Reuters safety adviser was killed and five journalists were injured in that attack.