Russian Lieutenant Colonel Killed in Suspected Car Bomb Explosion in St. Petersburg

A Russian military officer was killed and his wife critically injured after a car exploded in St. Petersburg on the morning of August 27, according to Russian outlet Fontanka.

The blast occurred at around 10 a.m. near a Magnit supermarket on Kolpinskoye Highway in the Slavyanka neighborhood.

According to preliminary information cited by Fontanka, an improvised explosive device may have detonated inside the vehicle. The outlet identified the man as a Russian serviceman holding the rank of lieutenant colonel. He died at the scene, while his wife was hospitalized in intensive care with severe injuries.

The outlet added that, according to available information, both spouses lost their legs in the explosion.

The official cause of the explosion has not yet been established, and Russian authorities have not publicly identified the officer.

Russian Telegram channel Shot reported that the vehicle was a Chinese-made Geely crossover and that the explosion occurred immediately after the driver started the engine.

The blast caused extensive damage to the vehicle, shattering its rear window and tearing off the hood and rear bumper. Debris was reportedly scattered across an area spanning dozens of meters.

Witnesses cited by Russian Telegram channel Ostorozhno, Novosti said several vehicles parked nearby were also damaged in the explosion.

The incident follows another fatal vehicle explosion involving a possible senior Russian military officer earlier this year. On June 9, a car exploded outside Moscow, killing the driver, whose identity has not been officially disclosed by Russian authorities.

Russian media outlet ASTRA reported that the victim may have been a lieutenant general in the Russian military.

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