The commander of one of Russia’s most famous elite units was killed in Ukraine, in a devastating blow to Putin’s army. Colonel Abdulaziz Shikhabidov from Dagestan was personally appointed just two months ago on March 10 by the Russian President to lead the 76th Guards Air Assault Division.

The unit is also known as the Pskov Division, named after its garrison town in north west Russia. As recently as April, Putin publicly praised the commander highlighting his unit’s “daily successes” at the frontlines. The Russian Agentstvo Telegram Channel broke the news of the colonel’s death, posting a video of his funeral.

The funeral is reported to have taken place at the Troekurovsky Cemetery in Moscow on Monday May 6.

The Telegram channel also shared photos from schools in Dagestan, where memorial corners were set up with a description of Shikhabidov’s military biography.

Russia‘s Ministry of Defence has yet to officially confirm the colonel’s death.

Shikhabidov has many years experience fighting in Putin’s army and has seen action in several wars.

He participated in conflicts in South Ossetia and Syria and was awarded a number of medals.

The 76th Guards Air Assault Division has been involved in the war against Ukraine since 2014.

A number of war crime allegations have been levelled at the unit during the course of its deployment.

Soldiers from the division were stationed in Bucha in 2022 and accused of violence against citizens.

The paratroopers also stand accused of unlawfully executing Ukrainian prisoners of war in Zaporizhzhia in 2023.

The 76th Guards Air Assault Division was initially formed on September 1st, 1939 and soon gained legendary status within the Soviet Army.

It was involved in battles for Odesa, Sevastopol and Stalingrad, ending the war in Germany.