A second explosion in Moscow on December 24 near the site of the previous blast killed two police officers and a third person.
Explosion During Police Intervention
On Wednesday, December 24, an explosion occurred on Jelecka Street in Moscow during a police operation. Russian Investigative Committee officials said two highway police officers noticed a man behaving suspiciously near a police vehicle. When they attempted to arrest him, an explosive device detonated.
As a result, both officers and a third individual in the vicinity were killed on site. Authorities did not specify who the third victim was.
Victims
BBC reports the names of the deceased officers: Ilja Klimanow, 24, and Maksim Gorbunow, 25. Both died at the scene from their injuries. The Russian Investigative Committee has opened criminal proceedings, including charges for the murder of law enforcement officers and illegal trafficking of explosives.
Explosion Near Previous General’s Killing Site
The blast took place close to the spot where, on Monday, December 22, General Lieutenant Fanil Sarwarow was killed. A bomb had been placed under his car, detonating and killing the high‑ranking officer. Sarwarow was head of the operational training department of the Russian armed forces. He was the third Russian military officer to die in a Moscow bombing in the past year.
Unverified Claims About the Attacker
Unofficial Russian Telegram channels suggested that the person whom the police approached might have been the bomber who detonated the device during the intervention. Russian authorities did not confirm these claims. Reuters attempted to verify them independently, but could not confirm the information.
Russia Accuses Ukraine
Following the Monday explosion that killed General Sarwarow, Russia alleged Ukrainian special services involvement. The Ukrainian side has not commented on the accusations. It is unclear whether the Wednesday blast and the earlier killing of the general are directly related. Russian investigators will continue the inquiry into the Moscow explosion.
