A high-ranking Russian military officer was assassinated on Wednesday, just days after returning from the Ukrainian frontline, in what is believed to be a well-planned attack.
The victim, identified as 44-year-old Nikita Klenkov, a deputy commander in Russia’s Glavnoye Razvedyvatelnoye Upravlenie (GRU), was shot dead in the Moscow region, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
Local law enforcement sources reported that the assassin had been waiting for Klenkov’s vehicle before carrying out the hit.
The attack occurred in the village of Melenki, less than 20 minutes from the Special Operations Forces Training Center, where Klenkov served as deputy commander.
Witnesses reported that at least three shots were fired into the side window of Klenkov’s car as he was driving. The vehicle continued moving until it collided with a fence.
Klenkov, described as a senior figure in Russia’s military intelligence, died instantly.
Authorities are searching for a grey Mitsubishi Outlander believed to be involved in the assassination, but the motive remains unclear.
The assassination comes amid increased targeting of Russian military leaders, with Ukrainian forces recently conducting devastating strikes on Russian commanders, particularly in Crimea.
The investigation into Klenkov’s killing is ongoing, with officials from the Investigative Committee leading the probe. There has been no official confirmation of his identity from the Russian government as of yet.
