A top Russian missile scientist, Mikhail Shatsky, has reportedly been assassinated in Moscow, with Ukrainian military intelligence believed to be behind the killing.
Shatsky, who was the Deputy Chief Designer at the Mars Design Bureau, was shot in Kuzminsky forest park, located in Kotelniki, around eight miles southeast of the Kremlin.
The park was the site of his tragic death, where he was targeted while going about his day.
Shatsky’s Work and His Connection to the Kh-59 Missiles
Shatsky, an accomplished associate professor, had been working on upgrading Russia’s Kh-59 cruise missile to the more advanced Kh-69 model, which Russian forces use in attacks on Ukraine.
His role in the missile’s modernization and his involvement in developing new UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) made him a significant figure in the ongoing conflict.
Shatsky was also responsible for advancing technology that has contributed to the ongoing suffering in Ukraine.
Reports quickly suggested that Ukrainian military forces were behind his death, with exiled Russian journalist Alexander Nevzorov sharing details about Shatsky’s role in military innovations.
He pointed out that Shatsky had a direct hand in the deaths of thousands of Ukrainians, leading to speculation that his assassination was an act of retaliation by Ukrainian forces.
Nevzorov also shared disturbing images of Shatsky’s body lying in the snow following the shooting.
Ukrainian Response and Claims of Responsibility
While there was no immediate comment from Russian officials, Ukrainian sources were quick to claim responsibility for the killing.
Ukraine’s public broadcaster, Suspilne, confirmed that Ukrainian “special services” had carried out the assassination, calling it an operation to remove a significant figure involved in the war effort.
Ukrainian nationalists also took credit for the act, highlighting Shatsky’s key role in the modernization of missile technology used against Ukraine.
Footage from the scene showed Russian emergency services arriving at the site, with earlier reports confirming a shooting had occurred in the park, though the victim’s identity was initially undisclosed.
Tensions Escalate with Russia’s Hypersonic Missile Threat
The assassination of Shatsky comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with Russia making threats of launching its experimental hypersonic missile, known as Oreshnik.
President Putin has boasted about the missile’s power, claiming that it could destroy deep underground bunkers with ease.
However, U.S. officials view the missile as more of an intimidation tactic than a significant battlefield asset.
Despite Putin’s claims, experts suggest the Oreshnik won’t be a game-changer in the conflict.
As both nations continue to engage in a deadly war, it’s clear that both military operations and assassinations will remain key strategies as each side looks to assert its dominance.
The fallout from Shatsky’s death is just one example of the ongoing and dangerous escalation of this war.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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