Russian serviceman killed in car bomb in St. Petersburg, officials say

A Russian lieutenant colonel was tragically killed in a car blast in St. Petersburg, the second-largest city in Russia, on Thursday. The Investigative Committee stated that the explosion took place in Pushkinsky district, located on the southern outskirts of the city. It is believed that the military personnel resided in nearby neighborhoods.

Witnesses claim the driver's attempt to start the car triggered the explosion. The victim's spouse was present in the vehicle and was swiftly transported to a hospital following the incident. Authorities have yet to assign blame and no group has taken responsibility for the attack. Russia has experienced a string of assassinations targeting high-ranking military officials and personnel involved in the ongoing conflict.

On August 5, the director of a drone factory was severely injured, and his driver was killed when their vehicle exploded in Yekaterinburg, a major industrial city. A day earlier, on August 1, a bomb detonated at an upscale Italian restaurant in Moscow, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, including the bomber. Russia has attributed these incidents to Ukraine, although Kyiv has claimed responsibility for some attacks while denying involvement in others.