New York Times report Russian military chief sneaked into eastern Ukraine

The New York Times has reported that the top uniformed officer of the Russian military made a secret visit to eastern Ukraine in an effort to “change the course” of the offensive there.

The US newspaper quoted a senior Ukrainian government official as saying that the Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, stayed in the region for several days last week.

The newspaper said General Gerasimov visited a school Russian troops used as a base in Izyum in the Kharkiv region on Saturday.

The paper also said Ukrainian forces obtained intelligence on his visit and attacked the school that evening, but Gerasimov had already left for Russia.

The attack reportedly killed about 200 Russian soldiers, including at least one general.

General Gerasimov is a close aide of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The New York Times says “the presence of such a high-ranking official on the front lines is highly unusual.”