Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces (USF), announced on 16/9 that the 427th "Rarog" Brigade deployed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to strike the position of Major General Anton Grunis in Donetsk province a few days prior.
A video accompanying the announcement shows a Ukrainian drone crashing into a residential area. The video then transitions to a burning house, though it cannot be confirmed whether General Grunis was present at the time of the attack.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has not yet commented on the video.
The Ukrainian UAV attack in Donetsk province on 12/9. Video: USF
General Apti Alaudinov, deputy head of the Main Military-Political Directorate of the Russian army, confirmed General Grunis's death on the same day but did not specify the cause. "He passed away as a hero, having completed his sacred duty," General Alaudinov stated.
General Anton Grunis commanded the 4th Guards Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade. Under his leadership, this unit participated in the offensive to control Konstantinovka, a city considered the gateway to Ukraine's "fortress belt" in Donetsk province.
General Grunis directly reported to President Vladimir Putin about Russian forces repelling the enemy and controlling Konstantinovka in early July. President Volodymyr Zelensky and the General Staff of the Ukrainian army denied this information at the time, though they acknowledged the difficult situation there.
Defense Minister Andrei Belousov awarded General Grunis the title "Hero of the Russian Federation" in August for displaying "courage and heroism" during his duties.
Geolocated data and open-source intelligence analysis from early September indicate that Russia controls nearly all of Konstantinovka. The city is being used as a staging ground to advance on Druzhkivka, the next city in the "fortress belt" chain.
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General Anton Grunis. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense
The "fortress belt" in Donetsk province spans approximately 50 km and includes the cities of Konstantinovka, Druzhkivka, Slovyansk, and Kramatorsk. This represents Ukraine's most fortified defensive line in the region, featuring a dense network of trenches, anti-tank obstacles, and barbed wire, reinforced over the past 10 years. This robust defense poses a significant challenge to Russian offensive operations.
Russia has lost many generals since the conflict with Ukraine began, primarily due to assassinations behind the front lines. The most recent incident occurred in 12/2025, resulting in the death of Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, responsible for combat training in the Russian army, when his vehicle was bombed in Moskva.
Pham Giang (According to Ukrainska Pravda, United24 Media, RBC)
