Car explodes in St Petersburg, killing Russian colonel – video

A car exploded in St Petersburg on the morning of 12 November. According to Russian media outlets, a colonel was behind the wheel and died at the scene.

Source: Russian Telegram channel Megapolis; local Russian media outlet Fontanka; Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency TASS, citing law enforcement officials; Russian Federation Investigative Committee; Exilenova+ Telegram channel

Update: The Russian Federation Investigative Committee confirmed that a serviceman had been killed in a car explosion in the Pushkinsky district. The committee did not disclose his rank.

Investigators have opened a murder investigation. They are examining the scene of the explosion and commissioning forensic examinations.

Details: Megapolis reported the car explosion on Kolpinskoye Highway and the death of a serviceman. Fontanka, citing its own source, stated that the deceased was a colonel.

TASS, citing law enforcement officials, reported that a man had been killed but did not specify whether he was a serviceman.

According to Fontanka, the colonel left his home in Shushary, got behind the wheel and began driving out of the courtyard. At that moment, an explosive device detonated. The man died at the scene.

The media outlet initially reported that a relative of the serviceman was also in the vehicle and had been injured. It later added that the colonel had been alone in the car and that the passenger seat was empty.

The site of the explosion has been cordoned off. According to Fontaka, Russian security services are searching for the person who may have planted the improvised explosive device.

According to early reports from Exilenova+, the deceased was an air force colonel.

Background:

• On 27 August, a car carrying a Russian serviceman also exploded on Kolpinskoye Highway. According to Russian media outlets, a lieutenant colonel serving in an air force and air defence unit was killed, while his wife was injured.
• The Russian Federation Investigative Committee later confirmed that the deceased was a serviceman and that the injured woman was his wife.

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