Moscow policeman killed in bomb attack on Ukraine war anniversary
Al Jazeera
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A bomb attack near Moscow’s Savyolovsky train station killed one police officer and injured two others in an incident that occurred just after midnight local time on Tuesday. The explosion happened as the attacker approached traffic police officers in their patrol car, resulting in the death of both the attacker and one officer. This latest attack comes amid a series of recent assaults in Moscow, including a shooting earlier this month targeting a top military intelligence officer.
The incident took place near one of Moscow’s busiest train stations, leaving debris scattered across the road and damaging the police vehicle extensively. While the car did not catch fire, the force of the blast was significant enough to shatter windows and windshields. Authorities have yet to disclose details about the attacker's motive or identify any suspects.
This attack follows a spike in violent incidents in Moscow over recent weeks, including a December 2025 bombing that killed Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov and another explosion later that same month which claimed three lives, two of whom were police officers. Ukraine has previously claimed responsibility for similar attacks, such as the December 2024 bombing targeting Igor Kirillov, head of Russia’s nuclear protection forces.
The timing of this attack coincides with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, underscoring the ongoing tensions between the two nations. The Investigative Committee has opened a case for attempted murder and illegal possession of explosive devices, but no charges have been filed yet. This incident highlights the volatile security situation in Moscow and raises questions about the broader implications of Russia’s conflict with Ukraine on global stability.
This attack not only reflects the ongoing instability in Moscow but also serves as a reminder of the deepening divide between Russia and Ukraine, which continues to impact regional and international relations. As authorities investigate the motive behind this bombing, the incident underscores the dangerous trajectory of violence that persists despite efforts to stabilize the region.
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/24/2026