Oleksiy Vadatursky, 74, founder and owner of agricultural company Nibulon, and his wife Raisa were killed when a rocket hit their home in the southern city of Mykolaiv in the early hours of Sunday. Mr Vadatursky, one of the country’s biggest farmers, was killed as Ukraine prepared to resume grain exports following a UN-Turkey deal to ease the Russian maritime blockade, prompting claims the Kremlin was deliberately trying to undermine the deal. “Vadatursky was one of the biggest farmers in the country, a key figure in the region and a big employer,” said Myhailo Podolyak. “The precise missile hit not only the house, but a specific wing – the bedroom – which leaves no doubt as to the direction of the strike.” The claim was supported by a group of foreign volunteers based in a neighboring compound who were also attacked. Daniel Burke, a former British paratrooper who leads the Dark Angels, told The Telegraph that the team saw flares flashing in both complexes before the missiles struck. Asked if he was sure the torches were lit by Russian spies, he said: “One hundred percent. Drones see an aerial view. Boots on the ground work for the Russians. [They] Go to POIs – a ‘point of interest’. When they see activity from a particular POI, they light up the place. The Russian UAV sees and transmits to the strike unit. They call the shots. Last night was our turn.”
