Sergei Yevsyukov, former head of a notorious prison, was killed in a car blast in Donetsk, raising alarms over a series of targeted attacks against Russian authorities in occupied Ukraine.**
Car Bomb Kills Notorious Prison Chief in Donetsk as Tensions Rise**
Car Bomb Kills Notorious Prison Chief in Donetsk as Tensions Rise**
A recent car explosion in occupied Donetsk has drawn attention to the ongoing violence in the region, especially targeting pro-Kremlin officials.**
In a significant escalation of violence in occupied Ukraine, Sergei Yevsyukov, the former head of the Olenivka Prison, was killed in a car explosion in central Donetsk on Monday. This incident is being viewed as part of a troubling trend of targeted attacks against pro-Kremlin figures in the region. Ukrainian media report that Yevsyukov died when an explosive device, reportedly equivalent to around 100 grams of TNT, detonated under his vehicle.
Yevsyukov's notoriety stems from his leadership during a July 2022 missile strike that resulted in the deaths of numerous Ukrainian prisoners of war. The incident has remained contentious, with Russia attributing the attack to Ukraine, while Ukraine alleges that Yevsyukov's prison was struck to eliminate evidence of war crimes, including torture.
Following Yevsyukov's assassination, Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the incident, confirming the injury of two local residents, with reports suggesting that Yevsyukov's wife also suffered severe injuries, including the loss of a leg. The footage from the blast site shows a burnt white SUV on a busy street in Donetsk.
Experts suggest this attack continues a pattern of assaults on individuals associated with the Russian-installed administration in occupied territories. High-profile examples include the assassination of naval officer Valery Trankovsky in Crimea, attributed to Ukrainian intelligence, and similar attacks against officials in other regions such as Zaporizhzhia and Luhansk this year.
Donetsk and its surrounding regions have been flashpoints of intense conflict since Russia-backed forces seized control in 2014. This latest violence underscores the complexity of the situation in Ukraine, amid ongoing military engagement and political maneuvering propelled by both sides.
Yevsyukov's notoriety stems from his leadership during a July 2022 missile strike that resulted in the deaths of numerous Ukrainian prisoners of war. The incident has remained contentious, with Russia attributing the attack to Ukraine, while Ukraine alleges that Yevsyukov's prison was struck to eliminate evidence of war crimes, including torture.
Following Yevsyukov's assassination, Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the incident, confirming the injury of two local residents, with reports suggesting that Yevsyukov's wife also suffered severe injuries, including the loss of a leg. The footage from the blast site shows a burnt white SUV on a busy street in Donetsk.
Experts suggest this attack continues a pattern of assaults on individuals associated with the Russian-installed administration in occupied territories. High-profile examples include the assassination of naval officer Valery Trankovsky in Crimea, attributed to Ukrainian intelligence, and similar attacks against officials in other regions such as Zaporizhzhia and Luhansk this year.
Donetsk and its surrounding regions have been flashpoints of intense conflict since Russia-backed forces seized control in 2014. This latest violence underscores the complexity of the situation in Ukraine, amid ongoing military engagement and political maneuvering propelled by both sides.
