Russian Army Major General Klimenko Killed in Ukraine

Russian Army Major General Pavel Klimenko, who commanded the 5th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, was killed in Ukraine. The death of 47-year-old Klymenko was first reported by the Russsian pro-war bloggers. The Russian online media Vazhnye Istorii managed to confirm the identities of his sisters, who commented on Klimenko's death on social media.

The General's sister, Kateryna Klymenko, also confirmed in a conversation with Russian media ASTRA that he had died. Sister Iryna left condolences in the comments to the post. Klymenko was accused of organizing torture and collecting money from his subordinates for sending them to the rear.

The circumstances of his death are unknown. According to ASTRA's investigation, Klymenko organized the torture of Russian military servicemen on the territory of an abandoned mine in occupied Donetsk. They were forced to agree to participate in assault groups, and money was extorted from them.

Some Russian bloggers criticized Klimenko for the high casualties.

Russian Army Major General Pavel Klimenko. Photo credits: ASTRA

There were claims that soldiers in his unit could pay a bribe to be reassigned to the rear.

In the comments on a post about his death in a social media group, dozens of messages--likely from relatives of other deceased Russian soldiers--criticized the general. The post has since been deleted. Russia has confirmed the deaths of seven generals in Ukraine over the two years of full-scale war.

In fact, the Russian army's losses among generals may be higher.

In 2023, it became known that Russian Major General Sergei Goryachev was eliminated as a result of successful actions by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.