Prilepin Incident: A Report on the Explosion, Injuries, and Aftermath
During the moment of the blast, Zakhar Prilepin, a noted author and co-chair of the political party Just Russia – Patriots – For Truth, was driving the car while Alexander Shubin sat in the passenger seat. After waking from a medical sleep, Prilepin shared the details on his Telegram channel.
He described the moment as follows: a longtime guardian and friend, Sasha Bad Shubin, had passed away. Media reports had created confusion, and Prilepin emphasized that Shubin sat in the passenger seat while he himself steered. The blast occurred beneath the vehicle. Prilepin added that he lost consciousness for a short period, then woke to find himself crawling toward the shattered windshield. Nearby residents rushed to assist in the effort to rescue him from the burning car.
The politician stated that he sustained multiple injuries, including broken legs, one of which was open. He recounted asking a bystander to fetch his phone from the car so he could issue immediate commands once he regained awareness. A neighbor provided pain relief shortly after, described as an injection.
The governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region thanked Gleb Nikitin for arranging a helicopter to reach the scene promptly. The governor noted that the city was three hours away and that the helicopter arrived in about sixteen minutes. Prilepin also confirmed that his daughter had ridden in the car about five minutes before the explosion.
Prilepin mentioned that two mines were reported, but a fear-driven individual fled after the first blast. In his post, he suggested that many lives could have been lost if the attacker had triggered the second device. He expressed gratitude for the prayers and support he received during the crisis.
In a later statement, Prilepin vowed to complete the construction of a chapel in honor of Saint Alexander in their village and declared that the forces of fear would not prevail. He asserted a belief in divine presence and a determination to prevail over the attackers.
According to the Baza Telegram channel, plastid-laden anti-tank mines were used to target Prilepin’s car, with the explosive placed under the engine and an estimated mass of at least three kilograms in TNT equivalent. Investigators continued to inspect the site near the village of Pionersky in the Nizhny Novgorod region for explosive objects and other devices.
Earlier, on May 6, an Audi Q7 carrying Prilepin was struck on a highway in the Borsky district while he was returning from the Donbass to the Nizhny Novgorod region. Doctors treated him for injuries in both legs. Reports also surfaced about an individual named Alexander Permyakov, who is suspected of involvement in the attempt on Prilepin’s life. Telegram channel 112 conveyed that Permyakov acknowledged recruitment by a Ukrainian service years ago and exchange of information for money. The message further claimed a plan to obtain a Russian passport and move, followed by orders to eliminate Prilepin. It is alleged that the suspect placed anti-tank mines along the road to Prilepin’s home after trailing the author for several days, culminating in the car incident.
As the investigation continued, questions about the incident remained central for readers in Canada, the United States, and beyond, highlighting the international interest in how political violence unfolds and how authorities respond to such threats.
Note to readers outside the region: this report consolidates statements and official updates from multiple sources to provide a clear chronology of events and the ongoing investigation while avoiding sensationalized speculation. The focus remains on verified details, safety updates, and the resilience of communities facing violent acts.
Attributions: details are summarized from reports available through regional channels and subsequent official statements. Citations are provided within the report for context and verification.