The Telegram channel reported that an anonymous group planted an explosive device under the hood of the car in which writer Zakhar Prilepin was traveling. The incident drew rapid attention as officials and investigators began to piece together how such a dangerous act could have occurred on a highway in the region.
According to Prilepin, the device lay beneath the vehicle’s engine and weighed the equivalent of at least three kilograms of TNT. He described the setup with technical clarity, noting that the device appeared positioned to maximize damage to the engine compartment and could have been triggered without direct contact from the attacker.
The writer indicated that the detonation might have been executed remotely, a possibility that has raised questions about the materials, the timing mechanism, and the distance from which the device could be activated. Investigators are examining security footage, vehicle fragments, and the sequence of events to determine the exact method of detonation and identify any potential accomplices.
Prilepin was transported by helicopter to a district hospital for urgent medical assessment. After initial stabilization, doctors will decide whether to transfer him to a major medical center in Moscow for specialized care, a decision commonly made in cases involving serious limb injuries and potential complications from blast trauma.
Earlier reports described footage from the roadside where the Audi Q7 was seen after the blast. The vehicle rolled over on impact, leaving a distinct crater and debris scattered along the highway. The scene analysis will focus on the blast radius, vehicle orientation, and any secondary projectiles that could have caused additional injuries or structural damage to nearby objects.
Prilepin sustained injuries to both legs, while the driver of the vehicle died at the scene. It was also noted that the writer’s daughter, who had been traveling with him, exited the car shortly before the explosion, a detail investigators will verify to reconstruct the events and assess risk factors for any subsequent threats to family members or associates.