Margarita Reutt, 32, has been detained and confessed to detonating a bomb that killed Robert Shageev, deputy commander of a Russian Black Sea fleet submarine brigade, in Sevastopol. Investigators found a remote control they believe was used in the attack.
The alleged assassination of a Russian military commander by a Russian citizen, purportedly on behalf of Ukrainian intelligence, highlights the escalating covert operations and the complex recruitment methods employed in the ongoing conflict.
A powerful explosion in Sevastopol, Crimea, killed Robert Shageev, the deputy commander of a Russian Black Sea fleet submarine brigade, on August 13. Russian authorities quickly identified and detained Margarita Reutt, a 32-year-old resident of Sochi, as the suspect. Investigators claim to have found a remote control used to detonate the bomb, which contained approximately 500g of TNT.
According to the FSB, Reutt confessed to the attack, stating that a handler linked to Ukrainian intelligence had promised her a substantial payment in cryptocurrency and documentation to facilitate her departure from Russia. Friends and acquaintances describe Reutt as a warm, sociable, and adventurous individual whose views on her country gradually hardened, particularly following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Some recall her expressing concern about environmental issues and becoming involved in local volunteer efforts, such as cleaning up an oil spill.
Reutt's past includes a period of study in Novosibirsk, where she was active in a parachuting club and a patriotic volunteer group. She later moved to Sochi and worked for an alternative medicine company. Her social media activity reportedly showed frequent travel and an interest in health and animal rights. However, her anti-war sentiments became more public, leading to a fine for allegedly discrediting the armed forces while traveling on a train.
Russian security agencies have a history of publicizing confessions from detainees, and the independent verification of Reutt's claims is not possible at this stage. Her trial is expected to be held behind closed doors. Ukraine has not officially commented on the bombing or Reutt's alleged involvement.