In a somber development for Russia’s military community, Dmitry Dreval, a retired major general known for his role as deputy head of military logistics, has passed away at his home in Moscow. According to Russian state news agency Tass, the 68-year-old general succumbed to “acute heart failure” on Tuesday, as reported by sources within the medical sector. Dreval’s death comes just a few months after he was shot in a disturbing incident in the capital.
The tragic news was confirmed by Tass, which reported that Dreval had experienced a sudden decline in health before an ambulance could reach him. Despite efforts to revive him, he was declared dead at the scene. Moscow-based daily newspaper Moskovskij Komsomolets further reported that Dreval fell ill in his apartment, and emergency services were summoned by his wife. An unnamed source told Russian outlet RBC that there were no signs of bodily injuries, indicating that his death was due to natural causes and occurred in front of his family.
Dreval’s career was marked by significant service to the Russian military. He was honored with the Order “For Military Merit,” a prestigious award recognizing exemplary service. His role in overseeing military logistics was critical, especially given the complexities of managing supplies and equipment for the armed forces.
The death of Dreval follows a pattern observed among several high-profile Russian military figures in recent times. Since the onset of full-scale war in Ukraine, the Russian military community has witnessed the passing of notable commanders, though not all deaths are directly linked to the ongoing conflict.
In August 2023, Colonel General Gennady Zhidko, a former commander of Russia’s forces in Ukraine, died in Moscow after a “prolonged illness.” Zhidko had briefly led Russia’s military operations in Ukraine in 2022 before being replaced by General Sergei Surovikin, known as “General Armageddon.” His tenure was marked by a challenging period for Russian forces, as Ukraine launched a successful counteroffensive that reversed much of the early territorial gains made by Russian troops.
More Read
Another prominent figure, General Gennady Lopyrev, also passed away recently. Lopyrev died in a penal colony in Ryazan, where he was serving a decade-long sentence for bribery—a charge he had consistently denied. His responsibilities included overseeing construction and security for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s luxurious Black Sea resort near Sochi.
In late 2022, General Alexei Maslov, the former commander of Russia’s ground forces and Moscow’s military envoy to NATO, died suddenly in Moscow. He had been working with Uralvagonzavod, a prominent Russian tank manufacturer, and the company reported his death in a brief statement without disclosing the cause.
The string of deaths among senior military personnel has raised questions and speculations, though direct connections to the ongoing conflict remain unverified in most cases. The passing of these figures underscores the challenging and often turbulent nature of high-ranking military positions, particularly amid a protracted and contentious conflict.
The death of Dmitry Dreval, in particular, highlights the complex and sometimes precarious nature of military leadership during times of crisis. As Russia continues to grapple with the multifaceted challenges of the ongoing war in Ukraine and other internal issues, the loss of experienced commanders like Dreval adds to the strain on the country’s military and strategic operations.
