Vitaly Slabtsov Dead: Russia Loses Lt Colonel Vitaly Slabtsov In Ukraine

Vladimir Putin has lost another colonel during fierce fighting in Ukraine as paratrooper Lt Col Vitaly Slabtsov, 43, was killed in action and has been buried with full military honours.

The body of the commander was placed in a closed coffin with a Russian flag draped over it, indicating he had suffered devastating wounds in the war. He was posthumously awarded the Order of Courage.

The grave of Vitaly Slabtsov became the 12th from the Ryazan military who died during a special operation in Ukraine, according to reports.

Cemetery workers told reporters there are three rows of graves reserved for more victims, suggesting they are expecting another 70 funerals.

No details were given of how he died, but it is clear Putin’s forces are haemorrhaging senior officers, having lost some of his finest generals and colonels.

Slabtsov was from Ryazan in central Russia, home of Russian paratroopers.

When he died he served with the 83rd separate air assault brigade based in Ussuriysk, in the extreme east of Russia. Its motto is Honour Over Life.