GRU major severely injured in Moscow car explosion

The attack on Russian officer Andrei Torgashov took place in Moscow, in a parking lot on Sinyavinskaya Street. His wife was in the car with him. Both were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

The moment of the explosion was recorded by city cameras. Internet users are sharing the footage, commenting on the moment when the Toyota Land Cruiser exploded. The vehicle exploded right after the driver loaded his luggage into the back seat and got in.

The car belonged to Major Andrei Torgashov, Deputy Chief of the 89th Military Satellite Communications Center. According to online posts, a homemade bomb was planted in the car.

The explosion occurred in the parking lot under the couple's home. The recording also captured when the victim was given first aid before being taken to the hospital.

Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs spokeswoman Irina Volk reported the incident. The official confirmed that the victim of the explosion was the deputy chief of the satellite communication center of military unit 33790, stationed in the Moscow region.

According to the RIA Novosti agency, the explosive device was said to have a force of about 1 pound of TNT. Major Torgashov lost both feet, and his wife suffered lacerations to her face. The injured were taken to Moscow's Botkin Hospital.

Police are conducting search and operational activities to determine the incident's circumstances. Investigators are considering various versions of events, including the possibility that the explosion was an attack related to Torgashov's professional activities.

A terrorist attack is not being ruled out. According to the Russian service, the chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia, Alexander Bastrykin, ordered the case to be controlled at the highest level.

Moscow investigators and criminologists, in cooperation with operational services, are examining the scene. Medical and explosive-technical examinations will be conducted soon.

According to an agency spokesman, eyewitnesses are being interviewed. Investigators and forensic experts are examining the scene; several tests, including medical and explosive material examinations, will be commissioned.

The department added that the chairman of the Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin, ordered Andrei Strizhov, chief of the Moscow headquarters, to submit a report on the investigation and established circumstances.

Source: RIA Novosti