A burial ceremony was held discreetly for a prominent Russian military figure linked to President Vladimir Putin, as per recent accounts. Tragically, a bomb explosion at a distinguished Moscow eatery resulted in the demise of five individuals, including Lt-Gen Igor Yerusalimov, aged 53. The incident occurred during a birthday celebration for senior commander Col-Gen Alexander Chayko, head of the Russian Aerospace Forces, where high-ranking military personnel and officials were present.
Yerusalimov was positioned near the entrance of the restaurant when a female courier carrying a “gift” for Chayko was intercepted by a security officer. Reports suggest that the woman may have unknowingly been used as a “suicide bomber.” The detonation of the device led to the deaths of the woman, the security officer, and injuries to nine others.
Chayko, who commanded Russian forces during the Bucha Massacre in Kyiv, emerged unscathed from the explosion. He is under scrutiny by Ukraine for alleged involvement in the 2022 attacks, being labeled a wanted “war criminal” by the nation. Tragically, Chayko’s daughter Maria, 25, suffered severe injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, while his son-in-law, Daniil Peredriy, 27, succumbed to wounds sustained in the blast.
The identities of the other victims have not been disclosed by the Kremlin. Yerusalimov, a highly respected figure, was the most senior casualty at the extravagant party costing £85,000. Putin had promoted him twice during his career, according to the VKCh-OGPU Telegram channel associated with law enforcement.
Yerusalimov was laid to rest with high security measures at Troekurovskoye cemetery. His death adds to the growing list of over a dozen Russian generals lost since the initiation of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.