Zaur Gurtsiev, a retired Russian commander known for leading air strikes on the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, was killed in a blast on May 29, 2025, in Stavropol, southern Russia, according to local authorities.
Gurtsiev, aged 34, received multiple medals for his role in Russia's intense military operations in Mariupol and Avdiivka. The exact cause of the explosion that claimed his life has not been disclosed. However, officials have not ruled out the possibility of Ukrainian involvement.
The Stavropol region governor, Vladimir Vladimirov, acknowledged Gurtsiev's death and referred to him as a hero and veteran of Russia's so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine. Vladimirov indicated that all hypotheses, including a terrorist attack orchestrated by Ukrainian extremists, are under investigation, reflecting Moscow's narrative of combating neo-Nazi elements in Ukraine.
Gurtsiev died alongside a 29-year-old acquaintance, as confirmed by Stavropol law enforcement agencies. Beyond his military background, Gurtsiev served as the deputy mayor of Stavropol and was part of the Kremlin’s "Time of Heroes" program, designed to advance the careers of selected military veterans slated to be the future elite of Russia.
During his military service, Gurtsiev commanded the Moscow-led air assault on Mariupol, a major city on the Black Sea. Russian forces imposed a devastating siege on Mariupol starting early 2022, which lasted nearly three months and resulted in the deaths of approximately 8,000 people, according to Human Rights Watch. Among the tragic events was a deadly air strike on a theater harboring civilians.
Since Russia initiated its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, several prominent Russian military figures have died under unclear circumstances within Russian territory.
While Kyiv typically refrains from commenting on covert operations inside Russia, some Ukrainian officials have acknowledged or celebrated attacks targeting Russian military personnel, describing such actions as legitimate given the ongoing conflict.
