Car explosion in Moscow injures aide to former Ukrainian Prime Minister

On November 13, 2026, a car explosion occurred in the Chertanovo district of Moscow, resulting in serious injuries to Sergei Zavorotny. Zavorotny, who formerly served as the press secretary for Mykola Azarov, the pro-Russian prime minister of Ukraine from 2010 to 2014, was identified by authorities as the victim. According to reports from Ren TV and the 112 Telegram channel, Zavorotny sustained severe injuries including the loss of his left arm, rib fractures, and a concussion. He was subsequently transported to a hospital for treatment.

The Russian Investigative Committee has launched an official probe into the incident, which occurred just one day after a separate car bombing in St. Petersburg that resulted in the death of a Russian military colonel. While the specific motives behind the Moscow explosion remain under investigation, Russian authorities have historically blamed Ukraine for attacks on officials and public figures linked to the Russian state. Zavorotny had been residing in Russia since fleeing Ukraine during the 2014 anti-government protests. Currently, official investigations are ongoing as authorities work to determine the circumstances of the device detonation.