Russian submarine commander shot lifeless on morning run after ‘showing on Ukrainian blacklist’

A Russian navy official who commanded a submarine within the Black Sea and appeared on a Ukrainian blacklist of alleged battle criminals has been shot lifeless by an unknown murderer whereas on his morning run.

Russia’s high investigative physique mentioned Stanislav Rzhitsky, 42, was gunned down early on Monday within the southern metropolis of Krasnodar.

Rzhitsky’s deal with and private particulars appeared on the Ukrainian web site Myrotvorets (Peacemaker), an enormous unofficial database of individuals thought of to be enemies of Ukraine.

On Tuesday the phrase “Liquidated”, in pink letters, had been superimposed on his {photograph} on the positioning.

Anton Gerashchenko, a Ukrainian inside ministry adviser, tweeted that Russian media had been pointing the finger at Ukraine however he didn’t touch upon whether or not that suspicion was justified.

“So far Russian police cannot find a single surveillance camera that would show the crime being committed. The search continues,” Mr Gerashchenko mentioned.

Baza, a Russian Telegram channel with hyperlinks to the safety providers, mentioned the killer might have tracked Rzhitsky’s actions in Krasnodar on the Strava app the place he posted particulars of his common jogging route and the way lengthy he took to finish it.

Russian state media and mil-bloggers mentioned Rzhitsky was deputy head of navy mobilisation within the metropolis and had beforehand commanded the “Krasnodar” submarine within the Black Sea.

He was shot 4 occasions within the again and chest and died on the spot, the reviews mentioned.

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According to the Russian Defence Ministry, the Krasnodar is a diesel-electric submarine constructed for the Black Sea fleet and designed “to fight surface ships and submarines, lay mines, and conduct reconnaissance”.

A Telegram channel utilized by self-styled pro-Ukraine partisans who’ve claimed lots of of sabotage assaults inside Russia mentioned – with out proof – that Rzhitsky was suspected of involvement in a submarine-launched cruise missile strike in July 2022 that killed not less than 23 folks together with a four-year-old woman within the Ukrainian metropolis of Vinnytsia.

At least two different pro-war Russian figures within the Myrotvorets database have been assassinated inside Russia since Moscow invaded Ukraine.

Bomb assaults killed journalist Darya Dugina final August and battle blogger Vladlen Tatarsky in April.

Russia has blamed Ukraine for the assaults, whereas Kyiv has denied involvement, suggesting they’re the results of Russian infighting.