Kanamat Khuseevich Botashev[2] (Russian: Канамат Хусеевич Боташев; 20 May 1959 – 22 May 2022) was a Russian major general who was the commander of the military unit 23326 of the Western Military District and the commander of the Voronezh Malshevo airbase near Voronezh.[3] He was posthumously awarded the title Hero of the Russian Federation.[4]

Kanamat Botashev
Native name
Канамат Хусеевич Боташев
Birth nameKanamat Khuseevich Botashev
Born(1959-05-20)20 May 1959
Lower Teberda, Karachay-Cherkess Autonomous Oblast, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union[1]
Died22 May 2022(2022-05-22) (aged 63)
Popasna, Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine
Allegiance Soviet Union
 Russia
Service / branch Soviet Air Forces
 Russian Air Force
Wagner Group
Years of service1981–2013
2022
RankMajor general
Battles / wars
Awards

Biography

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In 1976, he graduated from high school. In 1981, he graduated from the Yeysk Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots [ru]. In 2010, he graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia.[5]

On 29 December 2012, a criminal case was opened against him under Article 351 of the Criminal Code (violation of flight rules)[6] for crashing a Sukhoi Su-27 while violating flight rules.[7][8] He had reportedly piloted the aircraft without undergoing proper training and pre-flight medical checks, and then decided to perform aerobatics and thus accidentally destroyed the Su-27.[8] Botashev was sentenced to four years probation with a fine of 5 million rubles.[9] In 2013 he was discharged from the army.[10] After that he worked as deputy head of DOSAAF in Saint Petersburg and Leningrad Oblast for aviation, and deputy director of an aeroclub in Saint Petersburg.[11]

According to Ukrainian media, he took part in the Russian invasion of Ukraine and died on 22 May 2022 near Popasna, piloting a Sukhoi Su-25 attack aircraft,[12][13] which was shot down by a FIM-92 Stinger.[14] Russian media later confirmed his death in combat in Ukraine.[15] Observers speculated that Botashev had been flying as a mercenary pilot for the Wagner Group.[8][16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "БОТАШЕВ КАНАМАТ ХУСЕЕВИЧ :: Эльбрусоид". www.elbrusoid.org. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  2. ^ Боташев Канамат Хусеевич
  3. ^ СМИ: ВСУ уничтожили скандально известного генерала авиации ВС РФ
  4. ^ Генерал-майора авиации Боташева посмертно удостоили звания Героя России
  5. ^ Энциклопедия «Воронежская губерния». Автор-составитель А.Н. Юрасов. Раздел «Генералитет 1917+». 2021.
  6. ^ "В Санкт-Петербурге в отношении генерала, по вине которого Су-27 свалился в штопор, возбуждено уголовное дело. - Новости дня - PосБизнесКонсалтинг". 31 December 2012. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Генерал-майора обвинили в крушении СУ-27 под Петрозаводском". Российская газета. 29 December 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Howard Altman (24 May 2022). "63-Year-Old Retired Russian Fighter Pilot Shot Down In Su-25 Over Ukraine". thedrive.com. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  9. ^ Новости, Р. И. А. (24 April 2013). "Генерал получил за разбитый в Карелии Су-27 условный срок и штраф". РИА Новости (in Russian). Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Лекарство против неба Генерал заплатит Минобороны за разбившийся на учениях Су-27". Lenta.RU (in Russian). Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  11. ^ Десантники, вероятно, уничтожили скандально известного генерала авиации РФ
  12. ^ "Ukraine. BBC: Russian general Kanamat Botashev died in Ukraine. This is the highest-ranking military pilot who died in the war". 24 May 2022.
  13. ^ "Долетался. Возле Попасной, вероятно, ликвидировали скандального российского генерала". war.segodnya.ua (in Russian). Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  14. ^ "Russian Major General Shot Down over Ukraine – BBC Russian". 24 May 2022.
  15. ^ "Russian media: retired Russian major general killed in skies over Ukraine". news.yahoo.com. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  16. ^ "Ukrainian paratroopers have probably neutralized the infamous Russian aviation general". Ukrainian Military Center. 23 May 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
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