Russian colonel killed in St Petersburg car bomb as Trump envoys arrive in Moscow

Summarised from 6 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 13 Nov, 17:09 · Archive

A Russian colonel was killed in a car bombing in St Petersburg on Thursday as US peace envoys arrived in Moscow.

A Russian colonel was killed in a car bombing in St Petersburg on Thursday. The blast occurred on Kolpinsky Prospekt in the city's Pushkin district when a remotely detonated explosive device attached to the underside of his SUV detonated as he drove away from a residential building courtyard, according to Russian news outlet Fontanka.

Russian media identified the victim as the chief navigator of Russia's 6th Air and Air Defence Army. The 6th Guards Air Force and Air Defence Army is one of Russia's most strategically important aviation formations, responsible for protecting airspace over St Petersburg and much of the country's north-western frontier with NATO. Its units have also been involved in Russia's war against Ukraine. Russian authorities did not initially name the serviceman.

Russian media reports initially stated that a family member travelling with the colonel was wounded in the explosion, though Fontanka later reported the officer was alone in the vehicle. Russia's Investigative Committee opened a criminal case into the murder but said the cause had not yet been established. Video footage showed the heavily damaged dark blue SUV with its doors and bonnet open, surrounded by blast debris. A passing bus also had its windows shattered.

The attack came as President Donald Trump's envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Thursday for talks with Putin about US-mediated discussions between Russian and Ukrainian delegations.

Russia has blamed Ukrainian intelligence services for a succession of car bombings targeting military and security officials. Moscow has repeatedly accused Kyiv of carrying out killings of Russian military personnel since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have claimed responsibility for some attacks while remaining silent about others. In August, Lieutenant Colonel Sergei Sechkov, 43, from Russia's Aerospace Forces, was killed in a similar car bombing in St Petersburg.

Ukrainian authorities rarely claim responsibility for such attacks. Euronews reports that Ukrainian armed forces have claimed responsibility for some killings while remaining silent about others, with attacks involving booby-trapped cars, explosives hidden in scooters and shootings. There was no immediate comment from Ukraine on Thursday's bombing.

A pro-war Telegram channel called Voevoda reacted to the explosion by questioning whether authorities would take action, writing: 'Another vehicle blown up. Another terrorist attack targeting a service member.' The channel expressed frustration about protection measures for military personnel.

How it is being reported

• Car bombings in Russia kill military officer, injure ex-Ukraine PM adviserMoscow blames Kyiv for a series of car bombings that have targeted people linked to the war with Ukraine.Al Jazeera · 13 Nov, 16:44
• Russia: Soldier killed in car explosion in Saint PetersburgA Russian serviceman was killed when his car exploded in Saint Petersburg on Thursday. Investigators have opened a murder inquiry, while local media report that another person was injured.Euronews · 12 Nov, 14:57
• Russian colonel killed in car explosion outside St Petersburg: reportRussia has blamed Ukraine for previous assassinations of senior military officials linked to the war effortIndependent World · 12 Nov, 12:25
• Car bomb kills Russian soldier in latest targeted assassinationRussia has blamed Ukraine for previous assassinations of senior military officials.New York Post · 12 Nov, 11:57
• Russian officer killed by car bomb in St Petersburg as murder investigation beginsKyiv rarely claims responsibility for such attacks on Russian troops, but Ukrainian forces have previously used similar blasts to show that Russia’s security services are vulnerable.Euronews · 12 Nov, 10:48
• Russian colonel is killed by car bomb in St Petersburg in suspected Ukrainian hitThe blast occurred in Kolpinsky Prospekt while the commander was driving his SUV. A remote-controlled explosive device had been attached to the vehicle's underside, according to reports.Daily Mail · 12 Nov, 08:03
• Putin colonel dead in St Petersburg car bomb blast as Trump's peace envoys arrive in MoscowA Russian colonel was killed in a car blast in St Petersburg, according to authorities - this is a breaking storyThe Mirror · 12 Nov, 07:37

In this story: Putin · Trump · Jared Kushner · Steve Witkoff · St Petersburg · Ukraine · Russia · 6th Air and Air Defence Army

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log