In Melitopol, located in the Zaporozhye region, a deputy minister overseeing construction and housing and communal services sustained injuries when a blast occurred from an improvised explosive device. The incident reportedly left the official hospitalized, and information about the event has been released by the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. According to statements attributed to the committee, a blast was triggered by an unidentified individual who placed the IED in a trash receptacle at the entrance where the deputy minister was about to exit. The explosion occurred as the official left the entrance, causing injuries that necessitated medical care and transfer to a hospital for treatment. The case has been classified as a criminal matter involving attempted murder in a dangerous manner, and investigators are pursuing the appropriate legal avenues to determine the attacker’s identity and motive.
Details emerging from the investigation indicate that the device was planted on a May day and that the target was the deputy minister. The incident was described as a mine explosion that seriously endangered the safety of the deputy minister and prompted immediate emergency response. Law enforcement authorities have stated that a criminal case has been opened to address the attempted murder charge, with investigators examining security footage, interviewing witnesses, and assessing the broader threat environment in the area. This event follows a pattern of violent incidents in the region linking to public safety concerns and political tensions that local authorities and national security services are monitoring closely. The focus for investigators remains on identifying the person responsible for placing the device, reconstructing the sequence of events, and ensuring the safety of public officials and residents alike.
Earlier in Melitopol, on April 3, a separate violent incident resulted in injuries to Maksim Zubarev, a village leader associated with Akimova in the Zaporozhye region. While authorities described the injuries as a mild concussion, the incident is noted as part of a broader pattern of risk to local leadership. In addition, there were reports from March 27 regarding a perceived threat against Mikhail Moskvin, who leads the Mariupol city police department, with initial medical assessments indicating a concussion as part of the alleged assassination attempt. Investigators have stressed that the information surrounding these events is being carefully evaluated to determine any connected motive, whether linked to local governance, public order, or other security considerations in the region. Attribution for these reports is provided to official security and investigative bodies, and ongoing inquiries are aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability as the situation develops.