A serial arson suspect has been detained in St. Petersburg after an attempt to damage a police vehicle, according to a report circulated by the Telegram channel Shot. The episode marks a troubling sequence of actions linked to a single individual and the authorities are treating it as a coordinated attempt to target state security assets.
According to Shot, at the close of January, a 38-year-old man from the Pskov region initiated a plan to ignite the warehouse of the Special Security Office of the National Guard. The objective was clear: to inflict damage on a secure facility that plays a vital role in the protection of critical infrastructure. Although the warehouse sustained no damage, the incident underscored the arsonist’s willingness to strike at institutions charged with safeguarding public order and national security. In reporting on the episode, Shot highlighted the audacity of the operation and the potential ramifications had the act succeeded, reflecting growing concerns about attacks on security facilities in major urban centers (Source: Shot Telegram channel).
The narrative continued with the arsonist turning his attention to official vehicles, specifically those used by traffic police units under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The vehicles had recently undergone repairs funded through state procurement and were stationed adjacent to a workshop. The arson attempt targeted these cars, culminating in the melting of the vehicle hoods and damage to associated components. The sequence suggested a calculated approach aimed at undermining law enforcement capabilities and eroding public confidence in the safety of government property. The attacker’s evolving focus culminated in a parking lot incident in St. Petersburg, where a car belonging to a Ministry of Internal Affairs employee was chosen as the new target. The suspect was caught in the act, incapacitating any immediate chance to escape and allowing authorities to secure a decisive lead in the investigation (Source: Shot Telegram channel).
During a subsequent search of the suspect’s residence, investigators uncovered a range of items consistent with premeditated wrongdoing. Materials intended for the manufacture of improvised explosives were found, along with an unidentified device that included batteries and various pyrotechnic components. Some of the seized objects were collected for expert review to determine their exact nature and potential lethality. The seizure reinforced the assessment that the individual had prepared a toolkit for committing violent acts, rather than acting on a spontaneous impulse. The authorities described the confiscated items as evidence in a case that is now moving toward formal charges and a broader inquiry into the suspect’s affiliations and possible motives (Source: Shot Telegram channel).
Legal proceedings have formalized the response to these events, with two criminal cases opened under the charges of “Preparation to commit a crime” and “Deliberately damaging or destroying property.” The dual-file approach indicates the state’s intent to pursue a comprehensive prosecution that addresses both the planning stage and the resulting acts of property damage. The development signals a serious escalation in the vigilance of security agencies and the judiciary when confronting individuals suspected of plotting or executing arson against government entities and law enforcement assets. The case has spurred authorities to review procedures surrounding critical infrastructure protection and to reinforce surveillance and rapid response capabilities in major metropolitan areas (Source: Shot Telegram channel).
Context for readers tracking related news indicates that this incident follows other violent episodes in neighboring regions, including a separate report of a fatal shooting in a suburban road dispute. While each event underscores different dangers facing communities near major urban centers, the current arson investigation highlights the persistent risk profile associated with attacks directed at security services. The ongoing investigation aims to clarify the suspect’s exact motives, confirm any accomplices, and determine whether similar plots may be connected to broader security concerns in the region. Authorities urge the public to report information that could illuminate the suspect’s network, funding sources, or intended targets, and emphasize the importance of maintaining vigilance around security facilities and transportation units that support public safety operations (Source: Shot Telegram channel).