An unidentified assailant detonated an explosive device next to a police patrol vehicle in central Moscow early Tuesday, killing one officer and himself while wounding two others. The attack occurred at approximately 12:05 AM local time at the Savyolovsky Railway Station square, a major transportation hub in the Russian capital.
According to a statement from the Russian Interior Ministry, the attacker approached traffic police officers as they sat in their service vehicle on patrol duty. The subsequent detonation killed one officer instantly. Two other officers sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The Russian Investigative Committee has launched a formal criminal probe into the incident. In a public statement, the committee confirmed it is investigating the "attempted murder of law enforcement officials" and the "illegal possession of explosives". Forensic experts and investigators are currently reviewing surveillance footage from the station square to determine the attacker's movements prior to the blast.
While authorities have not yet identified the perpetrator or a specific motive, the timing of the explosion has drawn international attention. The incident took place on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This attack follows a similar pattern of violence in the capital; in December 2025, two officers were killed in a blast in southern Moscow during an attempted arrest.
State news agency TASS reported that while the patrol car was heavily damaged by the force of the blast, the vehicle did not catch fire. Images released by local media showed a cordoned-off scene with shattered glass and debris scattered near the railway tracks.
The Investigative Committee noted that several forensic examinations, including medical and explosive-technical reviews, will be conducted in the coming days. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.