Back-to-back car bombings in Russia wound former Ukrainian PM aide and kill military officer

Moscow accuses Kyiv of orchestrating a string of car bombings aimed at figures connected to the war in Ukraine.

Published On 13 Nov 202613 Nov 2026

A car bombing in Moscow has left an adviser to Ukraine’s former prime minister in critical condition, just one day after a comparable attack in St Petersburg claimed the life of a military officer.

Friday’s blast is the most recent incident in a widening campaign of bombings and shootings targeting individuals tied to the conflict in Ukraine. Russian authorities have pinned the blame on Kyiv.

According to Russia’s Investigative Committee, the Moscow explosion struck the vehicle of Sergei Zavorotnyi, who had earlier served as an adviser to former Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov.

Zavorotnyi was taken to hospital with serious injuries, the committee said, adding that no suspects had been named while a criminal investigation was underway.

Azarov held the post of prime minister under Ukraine’s Moscow-aligned President Viktor Yanukovych, who was ousted by protesters and fled to Russia in February 2014.

Azarov, who also resides in Russia, told state-controlled television that he was “shocked” by the attack that gravely wounded his former aide. He suggested Zavorotnyi had been singled out over his outspoken criticism of the Ukrainian government.

At 72, Zavorotnyi had earlier built a career as a journalist at Russia’s Komsomolskaya Pravda before joining Azarov’s staff. He authored a book on Yanukovych’s removal from power and operated an online platform known for its criticism of the Ukrainian authorities.

The Russian broadcaster REN TV reported that he had lost his left arm, sustained several other injuries, and fell into a coma following the blast.

Explosive devices triggered remotely

Al Jazeera’s Yulia Shapovalova, reporting from Moscow, said the device was apparently placed beneath the man’s car and set off remotely as he drove on Friday.

“The investigative committee has already opened a criminal case into this explosion,” she said.

A day earlier in St Petersburg, a member of the armed forces was killed by a bomb planted in his vehicle, according to the Investigative Committee, which declined to name the victim or identify those responsible.

The Fontanka news outlet described Thursday’s victim as a colonel, whereas other Russian online publications reported that he was a senior air force officer.

Shapovalova said early information pointed to the victim being a serving military member rather than a Russian Air Force colonel.

As in Friday’s incident, he was behind the wheel when the bomb detonated, she added.

“In both cases an explosive device was triggered remotely, and it was planted under their car,” Shapovalova said. “Here in Russia, all the attacks are considered to be orchestrated by the Ukrainian side.”

Ukrainian officials have declined to comment on either bombing.

Source link