Berdiansk, Ukraine – A deadly explosion shook the Russian-occupied city of Berdiansk on February 20, claiming the life of Yevgeny Bogdanov, the deputy head of the local occupation administration, according to Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR). The agency has accused Bogdanov of committing numerous war crimes against Ukrainian citizens, citing his involvement in financial management for the occupation administration and overseeing the construction of fortifications in the Russian-occupied areas of Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
The incident unfolded with a gray Renault Duster that exploded and subsequently burned completely, with Bogdanov reportedly inside the vehicle at the time, as stated by HUR. Bogdanov had arrived in Berdiansk shortly after Moscow’s troops took control of the city in early 2022, where he was appointed to the local administration at the behest of Russian special services.
Situated as a crucial transport hub on the Azov Sea, Berdiansk holds significant strategic importance for Russia, particularly in the shipping of looted Ukrainian grain and resources. Since the commencement of Russia’s full-scale invasion, a series of assassinations targeting Russian-appointed officials and military leaders in occupied Ukraine have been reported, frequently involving car bombs.
Notably, in a previous incident, Vasyl Nechet, the Russian-appointed head of Berdiansk, sustained injuries in a car explosion similar to Bogdanov’s demise in December. Furthermore, in October, Russian Major Dmitry Pervukha met a similar fate in occupied Luhansk under comparable circumstances.
These targeted attacks underscore the ongoing tensions and resistance within the occupied regions of Ukraine, shedding light on the volatile environment shaped by conflict and opposition to Russian presence in the area. The recurring pattern of violence through car bombings highlights the risks and challenges faced by those involved in the administration and control of the occupied territories.