Pro-Kremlin Writer Zakhar Prilepin Injured in Deadly Car Bombing
An explosive device was planted under the Audi S.U.V. belonging to pro-war nationalist Zakhar Prilepin, killing his driver, Russian state media said.
ANASTASIA MAKARYCHEVA
A Russian writer in favor of the war against Ukraine was seriously injured in a car explosion Saturday. The blast, which killed the driver, left Zakhar Prilepin with a broken leg and a concussion.
A Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called the explosion a “terrorist bombing,” according to The New York Times, reporting that a device had been planted under Prilepin’s vehicle.
The incident took place in the Nizhny Novgorod in Russia, about 250 miles from Moscow, the Associated Press reported.
A Ukrainian suspect, who had previously been convicted of robbery, has been detained.
“The search for possible accomplices continues,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in its statement, according to the BBC. Nizhny Novgorod Gov. Gleb Nikitin said an investigation has been launched into the cause of the explosion.
Russian writer Zakhar Prilepin poses for a picture in his flat in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, in 2008.
STRINGER
Prilepin, a firm supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin since 2014 after the annexation of Crimea, has bragged about his military involvement to reunite Ukraine with the Kremlin, according to Al Jazeera.
He is the third proponent of Russia’s Ukrainian invasion to have been targeted in an explosive attack since the war started in 2022. Darya Dugina—the daughter of one of Putin’s right-hand men—was killed just outside of Moscow in August, and military blogger Vladimir Tatarsky was killed in a St. Petersburg cafe in April.
Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Zakharova blamed Ukraine, according to The Associated Press, and claimed that “Washington and NATO have nursed yet another international terrorist cell.”
“[It’s the] the direct responsibility of the U.S. and Britain,” she said. We’re praying for Zakhar.”
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast here.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.