Ukraine bombs pro-Russian MP's car

Ukraine claims to be behind the car bomb that assassinated Mikhail Filiponenko, a Russian-appointed MP in Lugansk.

Russian investigators said on November 8 that Mikhail Filiponenko, a Russian-appointed lawmaker from Lugansk province, was killed in a car explosion. “His vehicle was rigged with an unidentified explosive device,” an investigator said.

Hours after the incident, Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Agency (GUR) claimed responsibility, saying it had "carried out a special operation to take down Filiponenko" and warning that it would continue to target Russian-appointed officials.

The scene of Mikhail Filiponenko's car explosion on November 8. Photo: Sputnik

Ukrainian intelligence accused Mr Filiponenko of “torturing civilians and prisoners of war” while serving in the Lugansk militia. Russia has not yet responded to Ukraine’s statement.

Mikhail Filiponenko was a former commander of the separatist militia in Lugansk. Russian media said Mr. Filiponenko was assassinated on February 21, 2022, a few days before Moscow launched its military operation in Ukraine.

The head of the Russian-appointed Lugansk government, Leonid Pasechnik, sent his condolences, saying Mr Filiponenko's passing was a heavy loss.

Mr. Mikhail Filiponenko. Photo: Kyiv Post

Russia annexed the four regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia in October 2022. Ukraine and many Western countries criticized and affirmed that they did not recognize Russia's annexation. Many politicians and officials appointed by Russia in the annexed regions became targets of car bombs by Ukrainian intelligence.

Ngoc Anh (According to AFP/Reuters )

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/ukraine-danh-bom-xe-nghi-si-than-nga-4674678.html