Seven Russian generals have died in Ukraine, says Western official

Seven Russian generals have died in Ukraine

Russian general Lt Gen Yakov Rezantsev, who reportedly died on Saturday, is highest ranked officer to be killed, Qazet.az reports according to Ukraine's defence ministry.

Security correspondent Frank Gardner says the reported deaths could partly be a result of generals having to get close to the fighting to dislodge their troops from getting bogged down.

Russian military doctrine allows for almost no initiative among corporals and sergeants, with junior ranks always waiting for orders from above.