Russian Bomber Pilot Who Led Attacks On Ukraine Civilians Assassinated

A Russian TU-95MS strategic bomber pilot who was directly involved in launching missile strikes against civilian targets in Ukraine has been assassinated near his base in Russia. 

Ukraine has repeatedly threatened Russian soldiers and pilots accused of war crime atrocities that they face retribution. Stegachov's assassination is intended to send a message to members of the Russian military who participate in attacks against civilians that they are neither immune nor safe. JL  

Militarnyi reports:

Major Oleg Stegachov, A Tu-95MS strategic bomber commander who was involved in missile attacks on Ukraine, was shot dead in the Russian city of Engels. Engels-2 military air base is home to Tu-160 supersonic bombers and Tu-95MS turboprop strategic bombers, which periodically launch missile strikes on Ukraine. Stegachov was directly involved in launching missile strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine and killing Ukrainians. The Russian pilot suffered gunshot wounds. Ukrainian intelligence released his photo and a photo of the car he was traveling in. “We remind you that all war criminals face retribution. We know your names, addresses, car license plates, usual routes and habits."

A Tu-95MS strategic bomber commander was shot dead in the Russian city of Engels.

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine reported on this.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, this is Major Oleg Stegachov, who was involved in missile attacks on Ukraine.The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine reported that the Russian pilot suffered gunshot wounds. The intelligence also released his photo and the car he was allegedly traveling in.

Russian pilot Oleg Stegachov. Photo credits: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

It is not known whether the invader survived. Ukrainian intelligence is currently investigating.

The car, in which the Russian pilot Oleg Stegachov was allegedly traveling. Photo credits: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

The indicated pilot of Russian Aerospace Forces, born in 1983, served at the Engels-2 military air base (military unit 06987) in the Saratov region – he was directly involved in launching missile strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine and killing Ukrainians, according to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

Russian aviation-related propagandists are already claiming that this pilot was allegedly fired before the Russian full-scale attack began. However, this information is unconfirmed and so far looks like an attempt to hide losses among Russian pilots.

“We remind you that all war criminals will face retribution – we know your names, addresses, car license plates, usual routes and habits. Justice is inevitable,” Ukrainian intelligence officers emphasized.

The Russian Engels-2 military air base is home of Tu-160 supersonic strategic bombers and Tu-95MS turboprop-powered strategic bombers, which periodically launch missile strikes on Ukraine, including energy and infrastructure facilities.

Tu-95MS at an air base, 2005. Photo from open sources.

In January of this year, drones attacked the Engels-2 military air base.

Illustrative photo of Engels-2 military air base. December 29, 2022. Planet Labs satellite image published by The Drive

Russians said that two drones were shot down and fell on the territory of the Engels-2 military airfield. Damage to the infrastructure of the airfield, aircraft, or casualties among the personnel are not reported.

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Ivanovich Chornobryvyi. Photo from the open source

As previously reported, on January 6, 2024, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Ivanovych Chornobryvyi was eliminated in an Ukrainian Armed Forces aircraft attack on the Saki military airfield. Chornobryvyi served as Deputy Commander of the 43rd Separate Naval Assault Aviation Regiment (military unit 59882), which was stationed at the Saky Air Base in Crimea.