UPDATE: Attacker used plastic explosives to blow up Zakhar Prilepin’s car

UPDATE: Attacker used plastic explosives to blow up Zakhar Prilepin's car

UPDATE: Attacker used plastic explosives to blow up Zakhar Prilepin's car

UPDATED: May 7, 2023, at 5:40 pm

Anti-tank mines with a plastic charge were used to destroy Zakhar Prilepin’s car in the assassination attempt of May 6. A suspect, being held on terrorist charges, said he had built the bomb himself. 

Suspected hideouts of the attacker are being checked by police and experts are examining the scene of the explosion for further evidence.  According to Gazeta, Prilepin has regained consciousness from an induced coma.

The Russian writer and journalist was reported to have had ‘severe’ injuries to his legs in earlier reports, but there is no clear evidence of his current state of well-being.

Zakhar Prilepin, a pro-war blogger, who has been known to lead a paramilitary group known as the People’s Republic of Donetsk, is not always regarded on the world stage to be a force for good.

Anton Gerashchenko shared this insight on Twitter into the side of Prilepin, often seen by western commentators:
“I posted earlier about Zakhar Prilepin who was blown up in his car (he was heavily wounded). This is an older video to demonstrate who he is: “I managed a combat division that killed people in large numbers. All we did was complete lawlessness”.

More news on this story will be reported as it happens.

Published: May 6, 2023, at 4:18 pm

Reports are coming in of the attempted assassination of Russian writer Zakhar Prilepin, today, May 6, in the Nizhny Novgorod region of Russia.

An Audi Q7 carrying the writer was blown up, killing his driver on the spot. Prilepin incurred severe leg injuries before being evacuated to Moscow in a helicopter.

The Atesh group, also known as The Military Movement of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars, took responsibility for the attack.

Russian police have detained a man suspected in the bombing, according to the Russian Interior Ministry. Emergency services were reported to be working at the scene by the Russian newspaper, Gazeta.

The explosion was reported to have taken place in a remote area at 10:40 am, with the explosive device thought to have been under the vehicle.

The Kyiv Independent posted a video of the wreckage on Twitter saying:

“Russian media: Pro-war Russian writer hospitalized after car explosion. Russian writer Zakhar Prilepin, known for his pro-war views, is hospitalized after his car exploded in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast in what appears to be an assassination attempt, Russian media RBC reported.”

It is believed that the suspects followed the car of Zakhar Prilepin as he was returning to Moscow, planting the device as he stopped for some food. It is believed his daughter was travelling with him but somehow avoided injury.

Gleb Nikitin, governor of Nizhny Novgorod region was quoted as saying in Gazeta: “Law enforcement are now investigating the circumstances and causes of the incident. Zakhar is fine.”

Checkpoints have been assembled in the area after the explosion and police officers are checking the boots of all passing cars.

As yet we are awaiting official comment from the Kremlin on the incident, but Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, accused the US of creating another terrorist cell out of the Kyiv regime.

We will keep you informed of further news as it emerges.

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Written by

David Laycock

Dave Laycock has always written. Poems, songs, essays, academic papers as well as newspaper articles; the written word has always held a great fascination for him and he is never happier than when being creative. From a musical background, Dave has travelled the world performing and also examining for a British music exam board. He also writes, produces and performs and records music. All this aside, he is currently fully focussed on his journalism and can’t wait to share more stories from around the world and beyond.

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