Assassination attempt made in Russia on general linked to atrocities in Bucha
An assassination attempt has reportedly been made in Russia's Khabarovsk Krai against Russian Major General Azatbek Omurbekov, who commanded the 64th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade during the occupation of Bucha in Kyiv Oblast in 2022.
Source: InformNapalm, a Ukrainian media outlet that collects and releases evidence about Russia's war against Ukraine; Russian Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, citing sources
Details: The attack reportedly took place at a military garrison in the village of Knyaze-Volkonskoye-1 in Khabarovsk Krai.
On 28 April, an explosive device hidden in a postbox detonated on the garrison's premises. One person was killed – a communications training battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Kuzmenko (his first name has not been disclosed). Several others were injured.
Omurbekov's condition is not yet known.
One Kremlin-aligned Russian outlet in Khabarovsk claimed that the general "has miraculously survived".
There has been no official confirmation of the explosion.
Some Russian journalists attempted to contact Omurbekov following reports of the blast, but he did not answer. His wife has also been unreachable.
For reference: In the spring of 2022, Omurbekov commanded the 64th Motor Rifle Brigade, which attempted to occupy Kyiv Oblast. His subordinates reportedly said that Omurbekov ordered troops to kill "everyone [civilians – ed.] found with phones" and to target civilian vehicles.
After returning from the front, Omurbekov was awarded the title of Hero of Russia. He is subject to sanctions imposed by the US, the European Union and other Western countries.
Since 2023, he has headed the 392nd District Training Centre for Junior Specialists of Russia's Eastern Military District.
Background: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine stated previously that service members from the 64th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade, commanded by Omurbekov, were involved in mass killings and the torture of civilians in Bucha.
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