Russian Airborne Troops Commander Lt. Gen. Vladimir Shamanov was injured in a car accident on Saturday, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry said.
Shamanov was on his way to the Tula paratroopers division on Saturday morning when his BMW crashed with a MAZ truck, which veered into the oncoming lane, 500 meters away from the entrance to Tula.
The BMW driver was killed on the spot while Shamanov and Col. Alexei Naumets, the acting commander of the Tula division, were hospitalized. The latter was taken to intensive care.
The general was moved from a Tula hospital to the Burdenko hospital in Moscow, one of Russia's best medical centers.
"Shamanov arrived at the hospital. He is fully conscious and in moderately grave condition," the hospital's chief, Igor Maksimov, said.
The Investigative Committee reported that the general was diagnosed with "concussion and fractured arm and leg," while the defense ministry reported that his injuries "are not life-threatening."
A spokesman for the Tula Police Department dismissed earlier reports that three Tajik nationals, who were riding in the truck, attempted to escape but were detained by paratroopers, who followed the general's car.
The Tajik driver was taken into custody and faces up to five years in prison.
Late on Saturday Shamanov was visited in hospital by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov.
"It's good to see you smiling. Doctors here are really good, so everything will be fine," Putin said.
Serdyukov, who appointed Shamanov Airborne Troops commander in May 2009, said, "Shamanov is a strong man. He will recover and continue commanding the Airborne Troops."
MOSCOW, October 31 (RIA Novosti)
