Russia has lost its eighth general who was notorious for running a torture camp for disobedient soldiers in Ukraine.
Major-General Pavel Klimenko, 47, was riding a motorbike when he was hit near the Ukrainian town of Krasnohorivka, according to reports.
The commander had been inspecting military checkpoints and observation positions when he and his group came under attack by drones. Klimenko was reportedly rushed to hospital but later died due to his head injuries.
He commanded troops in the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic, which is on Ukrainian territory now under Russian control.
Klimenko created a concentration camp at an abandoned mine outside Donetsk where Russian soldiers who refused combat orders were tortured, beaten and starved, Astra Media reports.
Major-General Pavel Klimenko (pictured), 47, was riding a motorbike when he was hit near the Ukrainian town of Krasnohorivka, according to reports
Klimenko (pictured centre, next to Vladimir Putin) created a concentration camp at an abandoned mine outside Donetsk where Russian soldiers who refused combat orders were tortured, beaten and starved, Astra Media reports
Other victims were held in his unofficial jail and forced to hand over their army salaries and compensation for war wounds to him and his fellow commanders.
He also forced mobilised troops onto meat assaults - high casualty attacks where the men were cannon fodder.
Klimenko reportedly had tens of thousands of torture victims.
He was promoted to the rank of Major-General in Vladimir Putins army six months ago.
His fighters are accused of killing American Russell Bentley, 63, Texas-leftist who became a Putin apologist and propagandist living in occupied Donetsk region.
After his death, Klimenkos men allegedly blew up his body in an attempt to cover the traces. Four fighters from the dead commanders brigade are currently under investigation for Bentleys murder.
In April, Klimenkos fighters allegedly tortured an illegally mobilised music teacher named Vladimir Frolov.
Frolov had a third-degree disability and sought demobilisation for health reasons, but was thrown into the commanders torture basement.
The death certificate stated that Frolov died during an assault.
His fighters are accused of killing American Russell Bentley (pictured), 63, Texas-leftist who became a Putin apologist and propagandist living in occupied Donetsk region
In April, Klimenkos fighters allegedly tortured an illegally mobilised music teacher named Vladimir Frolov (pictured)
His relatives reported that he had to be buried in a sealed coffin as his body was mutilated by torture.
The relative of one of Klimenkos victims said: My son, diagnosed with a fatal illness, was sent on an assault mission as soon as they learned he had applied for a military medical examination.
They held him in a basement like cattle, took the phones [of inmates], and even escorted them to the toilet at gunpoint.
Prominent independent journalist Alexander Nevzorov - with more than one million Telegram followers - reported: It was [Klimenko] who inspired and organised the torture of soldiers who refused to carry out criminal orders from the command.
The general was famous for his cruelty and greed. He not only tortured tens and thousands of his subordinates in basements and sent them to slaughter, but also took money from them.
Reports today said that he is the eighth Russian general killed in the war, but the actual number is thought to be even higher. Early last year, Japanese intelligence suggested the tally was 20-plus.