Russian Internet Censorship Official Killed in Strike on Occupied Ukraine

A senior official affiliated with Russia’s state communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, was killed in a Ukrainian strike on temporarily occupied Kyrylivka in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region, according to Militarnyi, citing Russian independent outlet ASTRA on July 27.

The official was identified as Mikhail Ivanov, head of the Zaporizhzhia office of the Main Radio Frequency Center (GRChTs), a Roskomnadzor subordinate agency responsible for overseeing radio frequencies, communications infrastructure, and regulatory compliance.

According to Militarnyi, citing ASTRA, Ivanov had served in the Russian Armed Forces for more than 20 years before taking charge of the GRChTs office temporarily in occupied Zaporizhzhia in May 2023. Russian authorities also stated that he participated in Russia’s war against Ukraine between September 2025 and March 2026.

The strike took place overnight on July 25, targeting the Aleon and Beluga recreation centers in temporarily occupied Kyrylivka on the coast of the Sea of Azov.

According to RIA Pivden, cited by Militarnyi, the two facilities were being used by Russian forces for military purposes. The outlet reported that Aleon housed Russian officers, while Beluga accommodated members of Russia’s security services and senior military commanders. That information has not been independently verified.

The GRChTs operates under Roskomnadzor and is responsible for monitoring radio frequencies, communications networks, and other technical aspects of Russia’s telecommunications infrastructure. The agency also plays a role in enforcing Russia’s internet censorship and communications controls in occupied territories.

Earlier, independent estimates cited by The Moscow Times indicated that Russian forces had suffered around 1.4 million casualties, including approximately 450,000 killed, by June 2026. The outlet also reported that 64% of Russians supported peace negotiations, according to a Levada Center survey.

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