The 63-year-old retired general has been shot down by a Stinger missile while flying his Su-25 fighter jet over Ukraine's eastern Luhansk region, according to the BBC's Russian Service.
Botashev's plane was shot down on Sunday and one of his former colleagues confirmed his death, according to the report.
Botashev had reportedly been on a mission to attack Ukrainian positions around Popasna, a town recently captured by Russia.
If confirmed, the general will join a growing list of Russian commanders killed by Ukrainian forces since Russia invaded the country on February 24.
According to Ukraine’s defence ministry, 12 Russian generals have been slain so far.
(jh/gs)
Source: kresy24.pl, PAP, dailymail.co.uk, nypost.com