A senior Russian military commander accused by Ukraine of directing missile strikes against civilian targets is reportedly fighting for his life after being shot in a suspected assassination attempt near his home.
Maj. Gen. Nikolai Varpakhovich, 56, who commands Russia’s 22nd Heavy Bomber Aviation Division, was said to have suffered gunshot wounds and been left in critical condition.
Reports said he was later prepared for transfer to Moscow for specialist medical treatment.
Gunman Allegedly Approached on Motorcycle
The reported attack took place in the village of Probuzhdeniye in the Engels district, according to local media reports.
An unidentified attacker wearing a motorcycle helmet is alleged to have approached Varpakhovich’s private residence before opening fire.
Reports claimed the general was struck twice with a pistol, suffering wounds to his face and abdomen.
He was taken to hospital, where doctors reportedly removed bullets from his body.
A report said preparations were then made to transport him to Moscow on a special medical evacuation flight.
Commander Linked to Russia’s Nuclear-Capable Bombers
Varpakhovich is a senior figure within Russia’s strategic aviation forces and commands the division based at Engels, which operates long-range, nuclear-capable bombers.
The aircraft under the division’s control have been used by Russia to launch long-range cruise missiles against targets across Ukraine during the war.
Ukrainian authorities have accused the commander of playing a direct role in attacks that caused civilian deaths and extensive damage.
Accused of Ordering Kyiv Children’s Hospital Strike
Ukraine’s SBU security service has accused Varpakhovich of ordering the missile attack on Kyiv’s Okhmatdyt children’s hospital on July 8, 2024.
The strike killed two people and wounded dozens more, with the attack causing extensive destruction at one of Ukraine’s best-known children’s medical facilities.
The European Union has also identified Varpakhovich as the commander of the Engels-2-based division allegedly responsible for the Kh-101 missile attack on the hospital and has imposed sanctions against him.
Other Deadly Attacks Linked to His Division
The Russian commander has also been accused of involvement in other strikes during the war.
Among them is an April 2022 Kh-101 missile attack on an apartment building in Odesa.
Eight people were killed in that attack, including three-month-old Kira Hlodan, her mother and her grandmother.
Varpakhovich has also been blamed for an attack on Kyiv’s television tower.
Ukrainian authorities had reportedly notified him in absentia over suspected war crimes.
Shooting Comes Amid Attacks on Russian Military Leaders
The reported shooting is the latest in a series of attacks targeting senior Russian military figures who have been accused by Ukraine of involvement in the war.
In February, GRU deputy chief Lt-Gen Vladimir Alekseyev, 65, survived after being shot inside an apartment building in Moscow.
Other senior officers have not survived similar attacks. Lt-Gens Igor Kirillov, Yaroslav Moskalik and Fanil Sarvarov were killed in separate bombings in and around the Russian capital between December 2024 and December 2025.
Investigation Underway
The circumstances surrounding the reported attack on Varpakhovich remain under investigation, while the identity and motive of the alleged gunman have not been publicly established.
The shooting of such a senior military commander is likely to attract considerable attention because of his position within Russia’s strategic bomber forces and the allegations made against him over attacks on Ukrainian targets.
