Russia reports third attack in a week on figures linked to war in Ukraine: former Donetsk People's Republic minister targeted – photos
An explosion has occurred at the Moscow residence of Andrei Pinchuk, the former so-called state security minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), after a courier delivered a parcel.
Source: Russian media outlets Vazhnye Novosti, Meduza and TASS; Telegram channels
Details: Telegram channels reported that Pinchuk had not been injured because he had managed to take cover behind an armoured door. TASS reported that his life is not in danger.
Windows and doors in the building were blown out by the explosion.
In the early 2000s, Pinchuk worked for the state security ministry of unrecognised Transnistria. He later took part in fighting in Ukraine's Donbas on the side of pro-Russian separatists.
In March 2014, Pinchuk participated in Russia's annexation of Crimea. As he previously told Lenta.ru, he was involved in transferring Ukrainian security service units on the peninsula to Russian jurisdiction and helping organise the so-called referendum.
From 2014 to 2015, he served as state security minister of the self-proclaimed DPR.
In 2022, Pinchuk commanded the Tsentr (Centre) unit during fighting for Izium. Between 2023 and 2025, he led the BARS-13 unit, which took part in battles in Bakhmut.
Reports in Russian media said that this is the third apparent attack in a week targeting individuals linked to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
On 9 June, Damir Davidov, a senior officer in the supply department of the Russian Defence Ministry's Main Missile and Artillery Directorate (GRAU), was killed in Moscow Oblast.
Also on 9 June, an attempt was made to blow up a vehicle near a building belonging to a state-owned defence conglomerate Rostec in Moscow.
Russia's Investigative Committee said it had prevented an attempt to kill an employee of "one of the scientific and industrial facilities". The agency also reported the detention of two minors in connection with the case.
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