Russia opens criminal case after car explosion kills military pilot PHOTO / VIDEO / UPDATED

Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case following the explosion of a car carrying a military serviceman in St. Petersburg, Fontanka reports.

The report said the deceased lieutenant colonel was a military pilot in the Air Force (the former name for the Aerospace Forces — Ed.) and Air Defence Forces.

The specific article of the Russian Criminal Code under which the case was opened was not disclosed.

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A car carrying a military officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel and his wife exploded on Kolpinskoye Highway in the Slavyanka area of St. Petersburg’s Pushkin district, Fontanka reports.

The outlet said the man died at the scene, while his wife was hospitalised.

According to preliminary information, an improvised explosive device detonated inside the serviceman’s vehicle, resulting in both spouses losing their legs.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov