Explosion in Russia's Stavropol kills city's deputy head, remote-controlled device suspected UPDATED / VIDEO / PHOTO

The explosive device that detonated and killed a Russian veteran of the "special military operation", Zaur Gurtsiyev, was attached to 29-year-old Nikita Penkov. 

According to one version, the man may have been used unknowingly, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Russian Telegram Baza.

In early May, Nikita Penkov rented an apartment in a high-rise building on Chekhov Street. It was near this building that the two men met before the explosion. It appears that Gurtsiyev himself came to the building where Penkov lived. However, it remains unclear how well Penkov and Gurtsiyev knew each other and how their meeting was arranged.

Sources say investigators believe the explosive device was attached to Penkov. As a result of the blast, Penkov was blown to pieces, while Gurtsiyev remained alive for some time afterwards. According to one theory, Penkov may not have known that the device he was carrying would ultimately detonate; it could have been remotely triggered.

Searches were conducted in Penkov’s apartment. No explosives were found there. A phone and a laptop were seized from the scene.

Investigators have opened criminal cases under the charges of "murder of two or more persons" and "illegal possession of explosives."

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Veteran of the "special military operation" and participant in the regional personnel program Time of Heroes, Zaur Gurtsiyev, has been killed in an explosion in the Russian city of Stavropol on the night of May 28 to 29, as confirmed by the governor of Stavropol region, Vladimir Vladimirov.

In a statement on Telegram, the governor also noted the possibility of Ukraine’s involvement in the incident, per Caliber.Az.

"Law enforcement agencies and special services are working at the scene. Investigative actions are underway. All versions are being considered, including the organization of a terrorist attack involving Nazis from Ukraine. The situation in the city is calm and under control," he noted.

Gurtsiyev had served in the armed forces since 2007 and, in September 2024, was appointed First Deputy Head of the Stavropol city administration.

According to the Russian Telegram channel SHOT, Gurtsiyev was approached by a 29-year-old man, Nikita Penkov, who detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) attached to his body.

At the time, Gurtsiyev was standing in the courtyard of a building on Chekhov Street. Seconds after Penkov approached him, an explosion occurred, killing the official. Specialists are continuing to work at the scene.

According to the Time of Heroes website, Gurtsiyev led the aerial component of the operation to capture Mariupol.

He reportedly “implemented his own targeting innovations into missile guidance systems, significantly improving their accuracy and effectiveness — including the successful strike on the Azov supply base.”

Russian media have previously reported that Gurtsiyev, while still in the military, headed the combat operations control centre for an air force and air defence army. He later took part in a state initiative to integrate combat veterans from the war in Ukraine into civilian administration roles.

By Khagan Isayev