Ukraine Drone Strike Kills Russian Major General Anton Grunis

Ukrainian forces killed Major General Anton Grunis, commander of the Russian 4th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, during a nighttime drone strike on September 12. Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, stated that the 427th Separate USF Regiment Rarog eliminated Grunis in the Donetsk region, providing footage of the destroyed command post as evidence. Brovdi noted that Grunis is the seventh Russian commander eliminated by his drone units.

Apti Alaudinov, commander of the Akhmat special forces, confirmed the death on Telegram, describing Grunis as a hero who performed his sacred duty. While Alaudinov acknowledged the loss, the Russian Defense Ministry did not issue an official confirmation.

Grunis had recently been awarded the Gold Star medal of the Hero of Russia on August 27, presented by Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. The honor followed Grunis's report to President Vladimir Putin that Russian forces had captured Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk Oblast. However, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Institute for the Study of War dispute these claims, asserting that the city was not fully occupied and that Ukrainian counteroffensives continue in the area.