Major blow to Putin as spy chief is killed in ‘pinpoint’ Ukrainian strike with US-made missile before tyrant’s speech

VLADIMIR Putin has suffered yet another setback as his spy chief has been killed in a Ukrainian missile strike. Colonel Aleksey Katerinichev was blasted in a “pinpoint” strike today – just hours before the tyrant is due to give a speech declaring four Ukrainian regions as part of Russia after sham referendums. East2WestColonel Aleksey Katerinichev was killed in a ‘pinpoint’ strike[/caption] ReutersHis death is a major blow for Vladimir Putin[/caption] Katerinichev, the deputy head of Russia’s occupying force in the Kherson region – one of the four areas being “annexed” by Putin – was hit by a US-made HIMARS missile, it is reported.  A source told Russian state-owned TASS news agency: “Two rockets hit the house in which he was.” Katerinichev was in the centre of Kherson city when he was hit.  His death is a major blow to the occupying forces and raises questions about Moscow’s control of areas it claims are now part of Russia.  More on Russia SICK STRIKE 23 dead in Russian strike on convoy rescuing families hours before Putin speech 'GRAVELY ILL' Putin's health is 'dramatically deteriorating & it's impacted his judgement' Katerinichev was a veteran of more than 20 counter-terrorist operations, and served also in the Russian border guards – part of the FSB – and the country’s emergency forces. It comes amid reports Alexei Nagin, commander of the infamous terror squad Wagner Group, has been killed in Ukraine. The 41-year-old was found dead near Bakhmut on September 20, according to reports. International intelligence community InformNapalm posted on Telegram that Nagin had been killed in Ukraine after serving in military operations in Chechnya, Georgia, Syria and Libya. Most read in The Sun BAKE TO MINE? Phil Vickery caught kissing ex Fern Britton's best pal after marriage split BABY 'ATTACKED' Baby girl left fighting for life after nursery 'assault' as woman arrested it's over AJ Pritchard splits with 'devastated' girlfriend Abbie after horror burns injury REST IN PEACE Queen cause of death revealed as old age after officials release certificate BUMPER BROOD I’m a mum-of-9 and I’m tired of people asking how many baby daddies I have SEEING RED BBC Breakfast's Charlie Stayt loses his temper as guest dodges questions It is unclear how he died, but footage has been shared from his funeral on social media. Last month, pro-Russia mercenaries in Ukraine were killed in a rocket strike after a photo gave away the position of their HQ. Wagner Group hardmen were wiped out after a Putin propagandist posted a picture that included a street name. Katerinichev’s death comes as Putin is set to declare four regions of Ukraine part of Russia as part of a bizarre stunt this aftrnoon. The Russian leader will claim victory in the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia following sham referendums over recent days. On Wednesday, pro-Kremlin officials said that all four regions – which represent around 15 per cent of Ukraine’s overall territory – had voted to join Russia. The referendums have been declared illegal by most of the international community. Footage emerged of voters being led to the ballot boxes at gunpoint by pro-Russian paramilitary groups, while election officials were seen appearing to count stacks of unmarked ballot papers as ‘Yes’ votes. Read More on The Sun CANCELLED Escape to the Chateau's Dick and Angel confirm show has been AXED BAKE TO MINE? Phil Vickery caught kissing ex Fern Britton's best pal after marriage split Other video shows Russian-installed thugs taking ballot boxes door-to-door surrounded by armed men. Putin’s cronies claimed 99 percent of ballots cast in Donetsk were in favour of joining Russia, 98 percent in Luhansk, 93 percent in Zaporizhzhia and 87 percent in Kherson.