Car explodes in Moscow near former Ukrainian adviser
Russian authorities have opened an investigation after a car belonging to Sergei Zavorotny exploded in southern Moscow.
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A car exploded in Moscow on Friday that, according to Russian media, belonged to Sergei Zavorotny, a journalist and former spokesman for a Ukrainian prime minister. Zavorotny was seriously injured, according to initial reports; Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a criminal investigation.
The explosion took place on Kirovogradskaya Ulitsa in the southern Moscow district of Chertanovo. Russian media reported that the car was registered in Sergei Zavorotny’s name, a journalist who previously worked as spokesman for former Ukrainian prime minister Mykola Azarov. According to Russian media, Zavorotny has lived in Russia for years.
Russia’s Investigative Committee, which investigates serious crimes, confirmed that an investigation into the explosion had been opened. Reuters reports that the cause and a possible perpetrator have not been established. Russian media described the event as an explosion under or near an SUV, but there is no independent confirmation of the precise circumstances.
Zavorotny was taken to hospital in a serious condition, according to The Moscow Times. The newspaper based this in part on reporting by Kommersant. Reuters reported that Russian media linked the car to Zavorotny and that the authorities had begun an investigation, but provided no confirmation of a motive or Ukrainian involvement.
The explosion came a day after a separate car-bomb incident in Russia in which, according to the headlines, a Russian serviceman was killed. That timing may explain why Russian media and the authorities are placing the case in a broader security context, but it does not prove that the incidents are connected.
Zavorotny previously worked for the Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda and was connected to the press service of a faction in the Russian State Duma between 2003 and 2004. His earlier work for Azarov gives him a political background, but does not automatically make him a target of a Ukrainian operation. No reliable indications to that effect have been published.
The event is relevant to Europe because it took place against the backdrop of the war between Russia and Ukraine and discussions about possible peace negotiations. For now, it can only be established that there was an explosion, that the car reportedly belonged to Zavorotny according to Russian media, and that the Russian authorities are investigating. Claims about responsibility or a link to Ukraine have not been confirmed.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The text sticks to what Reuters and other public sources report and explicitly attributes unconfirmed claims to Russian media. It draws no conclusions about responsibility or motive.
- confirmed A car exploded in Moscow on 13 November that, according to Russian media, belonged to Sergei Zavorotny. — Reuters and Meduza describe this as the reported circumstances. source
- confirmed Russia’s Investigative Committee opened an investigation. — This is stated in the Reuters report. source
- confirmed Zavorotny was seriously injured. — The Moscow Times reports that he was hospitalised in a serious condition, based on Russian reporting. source
- uncertain Ukraine was behind the explosion. — None of the sources used confirms responsibility; the text states this explicitly. source
Editor's note
The explosion and the investigation were confirmed by Reuters on the basis of Russian authorities and media. The precise cause, motive and any link to Ukraine are unknown.Sources
- Second car bomb to hit Russia in two days targets exiled Ukrainian political aide, media report — Reuters, via Internazionale
- Former Ukrainian PM’s Aide Seriously Injured in Moscow Car Blast – Reports — The Moscow Times
- A car exploded in Moscow. Telegram channels say it belongs to Sergei Zavorotny — Meduza
More on this in Dutch media
- RTL Nieuws — „moskou rusland”
- NOS — „moskou rusland”
- Het Parool — „moskou rusland”