Report: Russian general accused of Bucha killings survives assassination attempt

An assassination attempt targeting Major General Azatbek Omurbekov was reported at a military garrison in Khabarovsk Krai, according to the Telegram channel VChK-OGPU. An explosive device planted in a mailbox detonated on April 28, killing one person and wounding several others.

The person killed was a battalion commander identified only by his surname, Lt. Col. Kuzmenko, who led a communications training unit. Omurbekov’s condition is unknown. The pro-government outlet Bez Formata in Khabarovsk reported that the general “miraculously survived.”

No official announcement about the explosion was made. Russia’s national Channel Five reported on April 28 on an incident with similar circumstances in Khabarovsk Krai — an explosion at a military unit’s officers’ club, with the device located in a mailbox, killing one person.

Journalists from the outlet Vot Tak called Omurbekov, but he did not answer. Three residents of Knyaze-Volkonskoe-1 were unable to confirm or deny reports of the explosion. One of them told Vot Tak that he couldn’t say right away about the alleged blast and hung up.

Journalist Yekaterina Fomina reported that she had tried to reach Omurbekov’s wife, but received no answer.

In the spring of 2022, Omurbekov commanded the 64th Motor Rifle Brigade during its operations in the Kyiv region. His subordinates said (1, 2) that he beat and humiliated his soldiers, ordered them to kill “everyone [among civilians] whose phones you find,” and directed them to fire on civilian vehicles. After returning from the front, Omurbekov was awarded the title of Hero of Russia. He is under sanctions from the United States, the European Union, and other Western countries.

Ukrainian authorities believe that soldiers of the 64th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade, commanded by Azatbek Omurbekov, were involved in the killings and torture of civilians in Bucha.