Russian pilot Dmitry Golenkov was found dead in the town of Suponevo, Bryansk Oblast, on Oct. 20, according to Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR).
HUR reported that Golenkov suffered multiple head injuries, likely inflicted by a hammer. The agency released photos allegedly showing his body in an apple orchard, though it did not claim responsibility for the death.
The Kyiv Independent has not been able to independently verify these claims.
Golenkov served as the chief of staff for a Russian aviation squadron and flew for the 52nd Heavy Bomber Regiment, which operates from the Shaykovka airfield. This base houses Tu-22M3 bombers, used by Russia to launch missile strikes on Ukraine.
According to HUR, Golenkov was involved in attacks on Ukrainian civilian targets, including the June 2022 missile strike on the Amstor shopping mall in Kremenchuk, Poltava Oblast. At the time of the attack, over 1,000 people were in the mall, resulting in 22 deaths and dozens of injuries.
Golenkov was also linked to the deadly January 2023 missile strike on an apartment building in Dnipro, which killed 46 people, including six children, in one of Russia’s deadliest single attacks on Ukraine.
