Russian-Appointed Official Killed in Car Explosion in Occupied Berdiansk

On February 20, a car carrying Yevgeny Bogdanov, the so-called Deputy Head of the occupation administration, was blown up in Russian-occupied Berdiansk, Ukrainian intelligence (HUR) reported.

According to HUR, the explosion occurred at 6:05 a.m., when a gray Renault Duster detonated near Building 96 on Skhidnyi Prospekt in the temporarily occupied Berdiansk, Zaporizhzhia region, burning the vehicle to the ground.

“During his time in occupied Ukrainian territories, Yevgeny Bogdanov repeatedly committed war crimes against Ukrainian citizens,” HUR wrote.

Bogdanov was a Russian citizen who, after Berdiansk was captured by Russian forces in 2022, was appointed to a leadership position at the direction of Russian intelligence services.

On February 18, Kyrylo Budanov, the Head of Ukrainian military intelligence, stated during an interview he believes that Ukraine and Russia will reach a ceasefire in 2025.