Ukrainian Armed Forces Kill Russian General Off the Coast of Libya — RFI
Russian General Andrei Averianov was aboard a tanker belonging to the so-called “shadow fleet” that was attacked by Ukrainian drones in the Mediterranean Sea in December 2025.
He was likely killed. RFI reports this, citing sources.
What new details are known?
One of the publication’s sources reported that at the time of the strike on the tanker Qendil last December, there were approximately 10 high-ranking Russian intelligence officers on board, disguised as sailors.
Sources in Libya indicate that at least two people were killed in the attack, and another seven were wounded. According to preliminary data, among them was a high-ranking Russian intelligence official, Andrei Averyanov.
It is noted that this general was considered one of the frontrunners for the position of head of the “Wagner” group, which was transformed into Africa Corps and established by the Russian Ministry of Defense back in late 2023.
Mohammed al-Haddad, the chief of staff of the forces in western Libya and a key figure in Tripoli, died in a plane crash less than a week after the incident—his plane crashed in Turkey shortly after taking off from Ankara.
According to published reports, some Libyan sources suggest that the tragedy was Russia’s retaliation against Lebanon, which allegedly allowed Ukraine to use its territory to strike tankers belonging to Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
It is worth noting that Andrei Averyanov is a Russian general who was subject to EU and U.S. sanctions due to his ties to Russian military intelligence. He was implicated in investigations by the Bulgarian prosecutor’s office regarding explosions at military depots.
Averyanov is linked to the GRU’s special operations unit, specifically the so-called Unit 291555. Western investigations identify him as one of the coordinators of sabotage and subversive operations outside Russia.
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