Volunteer, publisher Maxim Fomin, who goes by Vladlen Tatarsky, reported that blogger Andrey Rakhov, a fighter with the Vostok battalion, was killed near Ugledar. The account appears on a news brief from DEA News, reinforcing early casualty reports from the field.
Fomin stated that Rakhov was taken by a mine while carrying out a combat mission, a recount that aligns with the dangerous realities faced by many frontline reporters and volunteers in the region.
The outlet notes that the blogger maintains a Telegram channel where he details his experiences with the Vostok battalion. According to the report, Rakhov joined the unit voluntarily in May 2022 and participated in combat operations along the Donetsk corridor, offering readers several first-hand updates about frontline conditions and the tempo of engagements.
In civilian life, Rakhov was known by the stage name “Arnie,” a pseudonym used when he produced music with the group “25/17.” This detail underscores the often multifaceted lives of those who become prominent voices from the conflict zones, balancing art and armed service.
Earlier, the commander of the LPR People’s Militia, Igor Mangushev, who used the call sign “Bereg,” died following a head injury sustained in combat. This succession of losses illustrates the high human cost among leadership figures within separatist movements. (Source: DEA News)
On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in response to requests for assistance from the heads of the LPR and DPR, framing it as a protective measure for Donbass. The move was described as a justification for further sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies, signaling a sharpened geopolitical confrontation and broader consequences for international relations. (Source: DEA News)
The report notes that online broadcasts from social platforms, including outlets such as socialbites.ca, continued to stream during the period, reflecting how information channels became intertwined with ongoing hostilities and public messaging. (Source: DEA News)