Russia opens murder case after car bomb kills serviceman

Russia’s Investigative Committee opened a murder investigation after a serviceman was killed in a car explosion in Shushary, in St. Petersburg’s Pushkinsky district. The case was opened on 12 November 2026, under Article 105 of Russia’s Criminal Code, which covers murder.

Another Russian military official was killed in a separate car explosion in Shushary in August 2026.

Sources cited by local broadcaster 78.ru said the victim in the latest explosion was a colonel serving in the Russian Aerospace Forces' 6th Guards Air and Air Defense Forces Army. His name has not been disclosed; the perpetrator and motive also remain unestablished.

Explosion and investigation

The explosion occurred on Kolpinskoye Highway at about 07:00 local time (08:00 Yerevan time). 78.ru and Fontanka said a device attached to the car detonated after the officer had driven about 300 meters from his apartment building.

Fontanka said the serviceman was alone in the car. Its correspondent saw a nearby passenger bus with at least one broken window; the outlet said the explosion appeared to have struck the bus. Initial reports that a relative had been injured alongside the serviceman were not confirmed, Forpost said.

47news said Kolpinskoye Highway was closed between Polotskaya and Turovskaya streets. Forpost said there was congestion near the scene.

The Investigative Committee said investigators, forensic specialists and operational officers were examining the scene and arranging forensic examinations. It said the circumstances were being established.