The city of St. Petersburg witnessed a tragic event when war correspondent Maxim Fomin, widely known by his pen name Vladlen Tatarsky, lost his life. The incident, which also left numerous people injured, has sparked a broad and ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the blast and those connected with it. The case has drawn the attention of multiple law enforcement agencies and remains a focal point of national security discussions in Russia.
Daria Trepova, who is accused of organizing the terrorist attack at a café in St. Petersburg, is actively cooperating with investigators. Reports indicate that all of her statements are being thoroughly evaluated by the investigative and operational teams, with involvement from dozens of law enforcement officers across several agencies. The inquiry is moving through the details with careful scrutiny, aiming to piece together the sequence of events and the network that may have supported the incident.
Officials have stated that the investigation is gradually unveiling the broader circle surrounding Trepova and that the case is being examined from multiple angles. Investigators are considering various versions of what happened and the underlying causes, as teams work to map out the connections and motives involved. The process reflects the depth and seriousness with which authorities are treating the matter and underscores the complexity of pursuing accountability in such cases.
Earlier in April, the remembrance of Tatarsky took place as he was buried at Troekurovsky Cemetery in Moscow. The burial marked a solemn moment for colleagues, friends, and many followers who respected the war correspondent’s work and the risks he faced reporting from conflict zones. His death prompted widespread reflection on the challenges faced by journalists who operate in dangerous environments and the enduring impact of their reporting on public discourse.
On April 2, the explosion at an institution on Universitetskaya Quay in St. Petersburg resulted in Tatarsky’s death and left 32 others injured, eight of them in serious condition. The event sent shockwaves across the country and prompted a swift response from security and investigative authorities tasked with assessing the attack’s origins, planning, and potential affiliations. The incident has since been the subject of official statements and ongoing inquiries aimed at establishing a clear timeline and identifying those responsible.
In a formal acknowledgment of the dangers faced by journalists in wartime reporting, President Vladimir Putin posthumously awarded Vladlen Tatarsky the Order of Courage. The award honors his contributions to journalism and the risk he undertook to bring important stories to a wider audience. The decision reflects a public recognition of the sacrifices made by reporters who operate in volatile and dangerous environments, often at great personal risk.