A car bomb in Moscow injured a former adviser to Ukraine's ex-prime minister on Friday, according to Russian authorities. Sergei Zavorotny, who worked under Mykola Azarov, was driving when the explosion occurred. He was taken to hospital with injuries. The blast followed a similar attack in Saint Petersburg that killed a Russian colonel.
Zavorotny served as Azarov's aide until the former prime minister resigned and moved to Russia in 2014. The attack marks another in a series of bombings targeting individuals linked to the Ukraine conflict. Moscow has blamed Kyiv for the attacks, accusing it of orchestrating the blasts.
The bombings come as peace talks between Ukraine and Russia continue. Russia has called for broader European security arrangements to be part of the negotiations. However, European nations remain divided on how to approach the issue. Latvia's prime minister said Russia is not in a position to demand security changes from Europe.
Ukraine has also escalated its military actions, launching one of its largest aerial attacks with nearly 1,200 drones. The strike targeted Russian positions, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. Meanwhile, European nations are pushing for a unified voice in peace talks, though they have not yet reached agreement on a coordinated strategy.
The attacks highlight the ongoing volatility of the conflict, with both sides accusing each other of escalating hostilities. As tensions mount, the international community watches closely for signs of de-escalation or further escalation.
