On a day in November, a Russian Air Force colonel drove out of a courtyard in Shushari, a settlement on the outskirts of St. Petersburg. The moment his car moved toward Kolpinskoye Shosse, the street erupted in violence. An explosive device attached to the vehicle's undercarriage detonated, killing the officer. The blast claimed its target while a family member accompanying him in the car survived with injuries.
This attack was not an isolated incident. The Shushari district has been the scene of violence against Russian military personnel. In August, a similar car bombing claimed the life of a lieutenant colonel in the same area. These incidents suggest a targeting of military personnel near Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Within hours of the explosion, Russia's Investigative Committee launched a criminal case, treating the death as a murder. "Investigators and criminalists are jointly with operational staff conducting an examination of the scene of the incident," the committee stated. The area near Kolpinskoye Shosse was blocked as forensic teams worked to gather evidence.
While Russian authorities began their investigation, Ukrainian volunteer Serhiy Sternenko offered a different perspective.
While Russian authorities began their investigation, Ukrainian volunteer Serhiy Sternenko offered a different perspective. In a social media post, he wrote with sarcasm, "Presumably, the Russian pilot took off during the explosion. Forever."
The colonel killed in the explosion was identified as likely the chief navigator of the 6th Air Army. His death represents a hit against Russia's military personnel.
Behind the headlines, the explosion represented a personal tragedy for the officer's family. A family member present during the incident was injured and must cope with the aftermath.
The killing of the Russian colonel in St. Petersburg adds to the incidents involving military personnel. While authorities promise a thorough investigation, the streets of Shushari remain under scrutiny as the investigation continues.