Moscow Car Bombing Leaves Former Ukrainian PM Adviser in Coma

Sergei Zavorotnyi, a former adviser to Ukraine’s previous prime minister, was critically injured in a car bombing in Moscow on Friday. The explosion occurred while he was driving, leaving him in a coma and requiring immediate hospitalization.

According to Russia’s Investigative Committee, a remote explosive device was planted beneath Zavorotnyi’s vehicle. The detonation resulted in severe trauma, with state broadcaster REN TV reporting that he lost his left arm. The committee opened a criminal case to determine the perpetrators but has not yet named suspects.

Zavorotnyi, who is 72 years old, previously worked as a journalist for the daily newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda. He transitioned into a political role as an adviser to Mykola Azarov, who served as Ukraine’s prime minister from 2010 to 2012 under President Viktor Yanukovych. Yanukovych was ousted by protesters in February 2014 and subsequently moved to Russia.

Azarov, who also resides in Russia, described the attack on his former colleague during an interview with state-run television. He expressed shock at the incident and stated that he believes Zavorotnyi was targeted due to his public criticism of the Ukrainian government. Zavorotnyi had written a book about Yanukovych’s removal from office and maintained an online publication that frequently criticized Ukrainian authorities.

The Moscow incident followed a similar attack in St Petersburg on Thursday, where a military serviceman was killed in his car. The Investigative Committee confirmed the death but did not initially identify the victim. Russian news outlet Fontanka reported that the deceased was a colonel, while other media sources described him as a senior air force officer. Preliminary reports from Moscow indicate the victim was a military serviceman, though specific rank details remained under review.

In both incidents, investigators found that remote-controlled explosives were placed under the vehicles before detonation. Al Jazeera correspondent Yulia Shapovalova reported that Russian officials attribute the series of attacks to Kyiv. However, Ukrainian authorities have not issued a public statement addressing either bombing.

The pattern of attacks has intensified scrutiny on individuals linked to the conflict. Zavorotnyi’s recovery is ongoing as medical teams assess his condition. The criminal inquiry in Moscow remains active as investigators gather evidence from the scene.