An explosion occurring outside a Moscow train station resulted in the death of one traffic police officer and left two others wounded. This information was confirmed by a statement from the Russian Interior Ministry.
The incident unfolded as police officers were on patrol near their vehicle at Savyolovsky Station Square, situated north of the city’s core. According to the ministry’s account, an “unidentified device was detonated” by an “unknown individual” while the officers were present.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the blast, which transpired shortly after midnight on Tuesday according to local time, corresponding to Monday at 21:05 GMT. At present, no motive has been determined for the act.
Initial reports from the ministry indicated that a male assailant had fled the vicinity. However, an subsequent update stated that this individual had died at the scene. The ministry specified that the attacker had approached the officers from the North-Eastern District of Moscow, without offering further identifying details regarding the perpetrator.
Details concerning the explosive device itself have not been released by officials to date. A criminal case has been initiated against the deceased individual, citing charges related to attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and offenses pertaining to the explosive device. Law enforcement units are reportedly collaborating to “establish all the circumstances” surrounding the event.
The two officers who sustained injuries have been admitted to the hospital to receive treatment for “various injuries” sustained in the blast. The officer who died has been identified by the ministry as 34-year-old Police Lieutenant Denis Bratuschenko, who held the position of senior inspector within the traffic police force. He reportedly joined the service in 2019 and is survived by his wife and two children.
“The leadership and personnel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia extend their sincere condolences to the family,” stated Irina Volk, the ministry’s spokeswoman, in a released statement. Savyolovsky Station is recognized as one of the primary railway hubs within the Russian capital, as noted by the Agence France Presse news agency.