Vladimir Putin appears to have been handed another blow as an apparent Russian general is shown bloodied and handcuffed in an online video.
Colonel General Andrei Sychevoi, 53, is believed to be the man in the footage and was reportedly captured by Ukrainian resistance fighters during a counteroffensive operation in the region of Kharkiv.
The high-ranking military man, if it is indeed him, was shown alongside several other weary-looking troops.
Reports say that viewers noticed the two stars on the soldier's uniform are usually worn by lieutenant generals in the Russian army.
His alleged capture has not been confirmed by either Russia or Ukraine and some analysts have noted what they think is a difference in his appearance and that of Sychevoi's.
The Lviv Journal said: "Time will tell if it's Gen. Andrei Sychevoi that appears in the video.
"What I find intriguing is that six Ukrainian soldiers surround him and look at him as if he is the big fish, and the way he looks away from the camera [he surrendered after all]."
Military analyst Rob Lee added: "Russian Telegram channels are already [pointing] the finger at Lieutenant General Sychevoi who is the 'West' group commander responsible for this area."
Ukrainian journalist Andrii Tsaplienko said on Telegram that Ukrainian forces had successfully captured the Samara SZSHR special response unit.
Other claims, unconfirmed, say Sychevoi attempted to convince captors he was actually a lower-ranking soldier.
Newsweek reported that rights group Charter 97 has called Sychevoi "a war criminal of the highest rank" who "gives orders in the war against Ukraine".
Speculation over Sychevoi's true role remains as he is believed to have taken over in a post in the Western Military District, headquartered in Saint Petersburg.
The soldier was put on the European Union's list of sanctions released as the invasion occurred in February. The list put him as the commander of the 8th Guards Combined Arms Army of the Southern Military District.
If his capture is confirmed, it will be a blow to the Russian military Ukraine claims has lost 50,000 troops in the country.
These claims cannot be confirmed as Russia has refused to update its questionable casualties list since March.
Ukraine is also making advances in a counteroffensive against Russian invaders.
Russia has sent reinforcements to Kharkiv as Ukraine bears down on the two key cities of Kupiansk and Izium in the Kharkiv region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed his troops had liberated more than 30 settlements in the area.
On Friday, Zelensky said: "Measures to check and secure the territory in some villages of the region are ongoing, we are gradually taking control of new settlements -- we are returning the Ukrainian flag and protection for all our people everywhere."
