Volodymyr Epifanov, an aide to the Russian-imposed deputy minister of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya region, and his two associates were injured when his car exploded in Russian-annexed Crimea on June 19. Russian-installed officials of Crimea said Epifanov, his secretary, and bodyguard were hospitalized with burns on 30 percent of their bodies after a gas tank exploded in their car at 4 a.m. All three were hospitalized. The information could not be independently verified. Since Russia launched its ongoing invasion of Ukraine in February last year, several Moscow-installed officials have been killed or injured in explosions that Kyiv has not commented. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Crimea.Realities, click here.
Car Explosion Injures Russian-Imposed Official Of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Region
The Zaporizhzhya region is home to Europe's largest nuclear power plant, and has been controlled by Russian forces since early 2022.