(Stavropol) – Zaur Gurtsiyev, a senior Russian official and military figure accused of directing deadly airstrikes on the Ukrainian city of Mariupol in 2022, was killed in an explosion in the Russian city of Stavropol overnight on 29 May. Gurtsiyev, who held the position of First Deputy Mayor of Stavropol since September 2024, was reportedly targeted in what Russian authorities are calling a “terrorist attack.”
According to reports from Russian state affiliated media and regional officials, the incident occurred on Chekhov Street near a residential building. Gurtsiyev, a veteran of the so called special military operation in Ukraine, was described as a key player in Russia’s air campaign during the brutal siege of Mariupol, which claimed thousands of Ukrainian civilian lives.
Footage circulating on Telegram channels shows a man in a cap and carrying a bag approaching Gurtsiyev before a sudden explosion. The identity of the person seen in the video remains unknown, and Russian officials claim that a “Ukrainian trace” is being investigated as a potential lead.
Two men reportedly died in the explosion, one of whom was Gurtsiyev. The city’s mayor, Ivan Ulyanchenko, confirmed the deaths and stated that law enforcement agencies are actively investigating the scene, although no suspects have been officially named.
Sources such as BAZA have claimed that Gurtsiyev was directly involved in enhancing missile targeting systems, making Russia’s airstrikes more accurate and deadly during the assault on Mariupol. He is said to have headed a combat control centre within the Russian air force and air defence systems.
His military contributions were reportedly praised within Russian circles, and he participated in the “Heroes Hour” propaganda programme aimed at glorifying the war in Ukraine.
The airstrike campaign that he helped lead destroyed entire districts of Mariupol, including hospitals, schools, and residential buildings. International observers and Ukrainian officials have labelled these attacks as war crimes.
While Russian authorities have rushed to blame Ukraine, Kyiv has not officially commented.
