Russian Military Intelligence Officer Seriously Injured in Moscow Car Explosion
A Russian military intelligence officer has reportedly sustained severe injuries after his car exploded in northwest Moscow. The incident occurred in a parking lot of a high-rise complex, where the blast left the vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser, with its left side completely destroyed.
Incident Details and Victim's Condition
The officer, identified as the deputy head of a GRU (Russia’s main intelligence directorate) military unit based in Moscow, is in critical condition according to initial reports on the Telegram messenger app. It is also believed that his wife was in the car at the time of the explosion.
Footage from Russian state media outlet Ria Novosti showed a victim appearing conscious and administering first aid to himself after the blast, contradicting earlier reports of the severity of his condition.
Cause of Explosion
State media outlet Mash reported that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) placed under the pedals of the driver's seat, detonating when the ignition was started. Other reports suggested the IED was placed underneath the car.
Official Response
Russian authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the city of Moscow confirmed the opening of a criminal case, stating:
"In connection with the incident that occurred on Sinyavinskaya Street in Moscow, as a result of which a car was damaged and its owner and passenger were injured, the investigative bodies of the Main Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for the city of Moscow opened a criminal case."
Investigators are currently at the scene, and a wide cordon has been established around the parking lot. Residents of the complex have been instructed to stay indoors.
Possible Motives
While the motive for the attack remains unclear, Moscow has a history of blaming Ukraine for similar incidents without providing evidence.
Related Incident in Ukraine
In a related development, a Russian drone attack early on Wednesday damaged port infrastructure and residential buildings in the southern Ukrainian city of Izmail on the River Danube, injuring three people. The attack, which caused fires and damaged several trucks and a five-story residential building, highlights the ongoing tensions and conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Governor Oleh Kiper of the Odesa region confirmed the damage to the port and the residential area, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Danube river ports for Ukraine’s fuel imports.
As investigations continue, both incidents underscore the volatile situation in the region and the potential for further escalations.