Key facts
- Sergei Sechkov, an officer in Russia's 332nd Separate Helicopter Regiment, was identified as the victim of a car bombing in St. Petersburg on August 27, 2026.
- Ukrainian media identified Sechkov as a major and labeled soldiers from his regiment as "war criminals" for alleged crimes against Ukrainian civilians.
- Sechkov's father confirmed his son's death.
- Russian authorities are investigating the incident.
- Reports indicate a young woman allegedly planted the bomb after being contacted by Ukrainian forces and subsequently fled the country.
Russian and Ukrainian media outlets on August 28, 2026, identified Sergei Sechkov, an officer in Russia's 332nd Separate Helicopter Regiment, as the individual killed in a car explosion in St. Petersburg the previous day. Ukraine has not officially commented on the incident.
Mirotvorets, a Ukrainian website that tracks individuals involved in the conflict, identified Sechkov as a major and previously labeled soldiers from his regiment as "war criminals" for alleged actions against Ukrainian civilians. Sechkov's father confirmed his son's death to the Russian independent outlet Agentstvo.
According to reports from the Russian news site Fontanka, citing sources, a 24-year-old woman allegedly installed the bomb. Fontanka claims Ukrainian Armed Forces contacted her several months prior, persuading her to carry out the attack and offering relocation to Ukraine afterward. The woman reportedly flew to Turkey and then to Moldova after planting the device.
Russian authorities stated on August 27 that an investigation into the incident was ongoing. Ukraine has a history of targeting Russian military officials and other figures involved in the invasion, including the recent killings of Damir Davydov, a Russian military official responsible for supplying ammunition, and the son-in-law of Russia’s Aerospace Forces commander.