Former Ukrainian PM's Aide Injured in Moscow Car Bombing

A former press aide to Mykola Azarov, a key figure in pro-Kremlin Ukrainian politics, was seriously injured in a car bomb explosion in Moscow. Sergei Zavorotny, who is 72 years old and currently works as a journalist and commentator, was driving his black Toyota when the device detonated. Russian authorities have confirmed that Zavorotny was rushed to a city hospital where he is undergoing medical treatment.

Mykola Azarov, who served as Ukraine's prime minister until 2014, provided an update on the condition of his former colleague. Speaking to Russian television, Azarov described Zavorotny's state in the hospital as rather critical. Zavorotny had served as a press aide to Azarov in Kyiv before the political upheaval that led to the departure of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych from power. Following Yanukovych's ouster, Azarov moved to Russia and attempted to establish a government in exile, though the effort did not succeed.

The explosion in the capital is viewed by analysts as part of a broader pattern of violence targeting military officials and prominent figures linked to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This incident occurred just one day after a similar car bombing in St Petersburg killed a Russian colonel. In that earlier attack, an explosive device attached to the base of a vehicle was detonated remotely in the Pushkinsky District. Although the victim has not been officially named, reputable sources indicate he was a high-ranking officer in the 6th Guards Air and Air Defence Forces Army.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that Zavorotny suffered multiple serious injuries when the device in his car was triggered remotely. A 2020 report by the US Senate, which examined interference in the 2016 American presidential election, identified Zavorotny at the time as an officer with the SVR, Russia's foreign intelligence service. The report noted his involvement in influence operations during that period.

Russia's Investigative Committee announced the investigation via its Telegram channel on Friday. The statement confirmed that Zavorotny was injured while driving and was receiving medical care. The committee stated that a series of necessary investigative actions were underway, including the appointment of medical and explosives examinations to determine the cause and circumstances of the blast.

The car bombings in Moscow and St Petersburg have intensified a series of attacks on pro-Kremlin figures. These incidents coincide with a period of heightened military activity between the two nations. Overnight into Friday, Ukraine and Russia exchanged strikes on each other's territories, resulting in multiple casualties on both sides.

Ukrainian authorities reported that a hospital was targeted by Russian bombardment. Additionally, three people were killed in attacks across the southern regions of Odesa and Zaporizhzhia. Among the victims was a 17-year-old boy. Ukraine described these strikes as retaliatory actions in response to Russia's persistent targeting of its cities.

On the Russian side, officials stated that a Ukrainian strike on an industrial facility in the central Samara region killed four people. In the southern Volgograd region, another four individuals died after drones hit an industrial zone. A further death was reported in the Bryansk border region, an area that is frequently subject to cross-border fire.

The continued exchange of attacks underscores the ongoing intensity of the conflict. While the specific motivations behind the car bombings remain under investigation, both incidents highlight the vulnerability of prominent figures associated with the war effort. The Investigative Committee continues to gather evidence, with experts examining the explosives used in both the Moscow and St Petersburg incidents.