Explosion in Moscow Kills Police Officer After Attacker Detonates Bomb - The Moscow Times
Moscow Times
February 24, 2026
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A man detonated an explosive device near a police patrol car in central Moscow early Tuesday, killing one officer and injuring two others, according to the Russian Interior Ministry. The blast occurred just after midnight at Savyolovsky railway station square, a major hub in northern Moscow. The attacker approached traffic police officers sitting in their vehicle before the explosion, which heavily damaged the patrol car but did not result in it catching fire. The attacker was found dead at the scene following an investigation.
The incident unfolded quickly, with initial reports from the Interior Ministry stating that the perpetrator had fled the area. However, after reviewing surveillance footage and examining the scene, authorities confirmed that the man died at the site. No details about the explosive device or the attacker's motive were immediately provided by officials. The Investigative Committee announced a criminal probe into the attempted murder of a law enforcement official and the illegal possession of explosive devices.
This attack comes amid a series of targeted killings of Russian military officials on home soil during Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine. In December 2025, two police officers were killed in southern Moscow as they tried to stop a suspicious individual near their vehicle, near the site where a Russian general had been assassinated earlier that week. These incidents highlight a pattern of violence against security personnel, raising concerns about instability and threats to public safety.
The Moscow Times has reported on similar attacks and other critical issues in Russia, often facing challenges from authorities. Earlier this month, a top military intelligence officer was wounded in an attack blamed by Moscow on Kyiv. Such events underscore the volatile security landscape in Russia and the broader implications of its conflict with
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Originally published on Moscow Times on 2/24/2026