Putin loses 53rd colonel in Ukraine war as Russia’s toll of commanders grows

Vladimir Putin has lost his 53rd colonel in the war in Ukraine as his tolls of commanders grows.

Colonel Sergei Postnov was killed on a combat mission earlier this week, according to reports.

He was part of a military propaganda unit in the Russian National Guard, which reports directly to Vladimir Putin.

He had been on active duty with Russian forces close to Kyiv, in Kharkiv as well as more recently in the Luhansk region.

It is unclear exactly how and where he was killed.

An official statement said that his life was “cut short” while on a mission in Ukraine.

It said he had “performed service and combat missions in the zone of the special military operation in Ukraine” from the start of Mr Putin’s invasion on February 24.

“He was distinguished by high professionalism, organisation and diligence, and a creative approach to solving problems,” said the Russian Interior Ministry’s council of veterans.

He was a graduate of the Yekaterinburg Suvorov Military School in 1997, and believed to be in his 40s.

His death was the latest in a huge toll of Russian top brass to be wiped out in Putin’s war in Ukraine.

He is the 53rd colonel known to have died, while a minimum of 11 generals have also been slain.

Overall Russian losses are believed to be in excess of 30,000.

Postnov leaves behind a widow Ekaterina and daughter.