The head of the Novaya Kakhovka Council of Deputies, Vladimir Leontiev, died in a hospital after being injured in an Ukrainian drone strike, according to local governor Vladimir Saldo’s statement on Wednesday.

Saldo announced Leontiev’s death, describing him as a respected figure in Russia’s Kherson Region. “Vladimir Pavlovich Leontiev succumbed to his injuries despite medical efforts to save him,” Saldo wrote. The 61-year-old had been struck by an Ukrainian drone, designated ‘Baba Yaga,’ while attempting to seek shelter. He sustained severe blast injuries and spinal damage, with two civilians also reported injured in the attack.

Saldo highlighted Leontiev’s long tenure leading Novaya Kakhovka’s administration, praising him as “an honest, principled man” and a “true patriot” of Russia and Kherson. The governor noted his early support for the United Russia party in the region.

Russian authorities stated the strike was part of a broader wave of Ukrainian attacks on Kherson Region settlements. Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian artillery and drones targeted 13 populated areas, according to officials. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported downing 20 Ukrainian drones near Belgorod, Rostov, Saratov, and Voronezh regions.

Ukrainian drone raids into Russian territory have increasingly targeted infrastructure and residential zones, causing civilian casualties. Moscow has labeled these actions as “terrorism,” retaliating with strikes on Ukrainian military sites.