Putin embarrassed as Russian special forces suffer huge blow after Ukraine attack
A Russian special forces unit has suffered a significant blow with the death of commander Umkhanov Buvaysar, aged 48, in Ukraine's Kursk border area, serving as the latest blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin after
US President Donald Trump appeared to strengthen his relationship with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.
Operating under the nom de guerre "Tarzan," Buvaysar led a platoon in the elite Hunter Battalion of the 4th Brigade of the Akhmat Special Forces.
Accusations of serious war crimes during the conflict in Ukraine
have marred Tarzan's reputation. He has been implicated in civilian killings, thefts, and looting during aggressive operations in the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions in early 2022.
Ukrainian colonel Anatoliy Shtefan confirmed the Chechen combatant's death close to the border region, an area that has seen significant bloodshed,
including the death of a key Russian propagandist.
Read More
Related Articles
Putin's chilling 14-word demand to Zelensky as Kremlin announces three-day ceasefire
Read More
Related Articles
Donald Trump's 'productive' Ukraine war talks could see Zelensky make huge concession
Additionally, the Akhmat unit publicly mourned his passing with a tribute on their Telegram channel, sharing: "Our Brother Buvaisar Khasanovich Umkhanov, call sign Tarzan, has died."
Umkhanov Buvaysar, 48, was serving as a platoon commander in the Hunter Battalion
(Image: (Image: Social media))
Commanded by Ramzan Kadyrov—Putin's confidant and the notorious leader of the Chechen Republic—the Akhmat Special Forces brigade was dispatched to the Ukrainian frontline, reports
the Express
.
With estimates placing their numbers between 4,000 and 13,000 troops, the unit is notorious for its formidable presence.
Further grievances against Buvaysar include his alleged involvement in civilian murders within the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.
His actions earned him a spot in the Myrotvorets database, which profiles individuals identified as war criminals or collaborators.
For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters
here
.
On the battlefield in Kursk, the Akhmat Special Forces have been actively engaging Ukrainian forces, endeavoring to expel them from what they claim as Russian soil.
A Russian tank explodes in Kursk after hitting a mine
(Image: (Image: Social media))
Ukraine's General Staff has refuted Russian assertions that its forces have completely withdrawn from the Kursk region.
Officials maintain that Ukrainian units continue to operate within Russia and have executed successful attacks against Putin's military.
In a raid conducted on April 26, it was reported that soldiers from Ukraine's 73rd Naval Special Operations Centre managed to obliterate a unit from Russia's 810th Marine Brigade.
The General Staff of Ukraine also confirmed that five combat encounters occurred in the Kursk region on Sunday, April 27.
For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage
here
.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Libyan Express
10-05-2025
- Libyan Express
Trump urges end to Ukraine conflict and pushes for ceasefire
BY Libyan Express May 10, 2025 - 08:51 President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP) US President Donald Trump called on Friday for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to end the war in Ukraine as he advocates for a 30-day ceasefire. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office ahead of his Monday departure for Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, Trump responded to a question about his message to Putin following a US embassy warning about potential air attacks on Kyiv. 'I have a message for both parties: Get this war ended. Get this stupid war finished. That's my message for both of them,' Trump stated. The US embassy in Kyiv had posted on its website that it received information about a possible air attack that could occur within the next several days, advising US citizens to 'be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced.' The White House reported that Trump held a 'very good and productive' telephone conversation with Zelensky on Thursday, and expressed hope that both Ukraine and Russia would agree to the proposed 30-day ceasefire next week. During Friday's press briefing, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt reiterated that Trump would not meet with Putin during his forthcoming Middle East trip. In Kyiv, Zelensky's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, disclosed that he spoke by telephone on Friday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials regarding the proposed ceasefire and potential peace settlement. 'The main focus was the question of the ceasefire and prospects for a peace settlement,' Yermak wrote on Telegram, adding that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg participated in the call alongside Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. 'Also discussed was the importance of implementing the points on which our presidents agreed,' Yermak added. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Libyan Express
08-05-2025
- Libyan Express
Why Libya matters in Moscow's challenge to Washington?
Copy Link The recent American military posturing near Libya has quickly elicited a Russian response. After US B-52 strategic bombers conducted flyovers alongside British forces above Sirte on 26 February 2025, followed by the USS Mount Whitney's appearances in Tripoli (20 April) and Benghazi (21 April), Moscow has countered by sending a high-level diplomat to Libya's capital. Alexander Kishniak, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at Russia's Foreign Ministry, arrived in Tripoli on 28 April 2025. He delivered a verbal message from the Kremlin to Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh that emphasised strengthening Libyan-Russian relations. According to the Government of National Unity's media office, 'Kishniak's message underscored the importance of bilateral relations, enhanced cooperation, and reactivating the Joint Libyan-Russian High Committee.' The same source quoted Dbeibeh as emphasising 'the building of balanced relations with Russia based on respect for Libya's sovereignty and stability, serving mutual interests between both countries.' This diplomatic exchange represents a new chapter in the ongoing American-Russian competition for influence in Libya—a struggle where Libya finds itself as the vulnerable third party. The critical questions facing Tripoli's government are multifaceted: How can it address Russian military presence on Libyan soil that poses existential challenges to state sovereignty? Is it possible to balance economic cooperation with Russia whilst confronting security risks? Can Libya protect its national interests within such an asymmetric relationship? Russia's approach mirrors Western tactics used throughout the Arab world—compartmentalising political and economic relations. This allows Moscow to pursue economic partnerships while simultaneously undermining Libyan sovereignty through military deployments, base establishments, interference in neighbouring countries, and support for Khalifa Haftar's forces to maintain political division. Meanwhile, Russia extends economic cooperation offers to western Libya's political leadership under attractive but ultimately deceptive pretences. The gravest danger may be Libya's transformation into a proxy battlefield in the larger Russia-Western confrontation—a scenario that could entangle the country in a destructive great power competition. While some pragmatists argue that political realities necessitate engagement with Russia despite these concerns, Libya's genuine challenge remains finding equilibrium between immediate political expediencies and its long-term national interests. This balancing act will determine whether Libya can maintain its sovereignty whilst navigating relations with these competing global powers.
Libyan Express
05-05-2025
- Libyan Express
Trump non-committal on potential Putin meeting during Saudi Arabia visit
BY Libyan Express May 05, 2025 - 06:06 Updated: May 05, 2025 - 06:08 Russia's President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump (R). Photo via Mikhail Metzel/TASS During a press briefing, US President Donald Trump indicated he has not yet decided whether he will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his forthcoming mid-May visit to Saudi Arabia. When journalists enquired about a possible meeting with the Russian leader, Trump responded, 'I don't know, we have to think about it. I have not thought about it,' adding that his departure for Saudi Arabia would occur 'pretty soon.' According to State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, dialogue between the US and Russian leaders is considered necessary for addressing the Ukrainian conflict. The two presidents previously spoke by telephone on 18 March, discussing several topics including a potential 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, methods to prevent escalation, and various international issues. During this conversation, Putin reportedly agreed with Trump's proposal that conflict parties in Ukraine should mutually avoid targeting energy infrastructure. Trump has previously mentioned the possibility of meeting with Putin following his Middle East trip, which is scheduled to include visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates from 13 to 16 May. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
