Defector Who Handed Ukraine's Only Submarine to Russia Reportedly Killed

Robert Shaheiev, a former Ukrainian submarine commander accused of desertion and treason, reportedly died in an explosion in Sevastopol, according to the Ukrainian project identifying alleged Russian war criminals. The Book of Executioners identified Shaheiev as the victim of the blast, though Newsweek has not independently confirmed this.

Russia's Federal Security Service stated that a Defense Ministry serviceman was killed in the explosion, and Ukrainian authorities claim Ukrainian intelligence was behind the attack, though no evidence was provided. Shaheiev commanded Ukraine's sole submarine, the Zaporizhzhia, before defecting to Russia in 2014. He was reportedly killed by a backpack explosive in Sevastopol, Crimea, where he had become a deputy commander of the 4th Separate Submarine Brigade.