SBU Claims Car Bomb in Sevastopol Killed Russian Navy Captain Trankovsky

Nov 13, 2024, 09:00 AM

A powerful car explosion on a city street near a supermarket in Sevastopol, occupied Crimea, on November 13 killed Captain 1st Rank Valery Trankovsky, Chief of Staff of the 41st Missile Boat Brigade of Russia's Black Sea Fleet. The blast, reportedly caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) planted under the driver's side of the vehicle and detonated remotely, scattered debris across the courtyard and car parts across the street. Witnesses described the explosion as extremely powerful. Ukrainian special forces or partisans are believed to be behind the attack, with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) confirming their involvement. Trankovsky was implicated in ordering missile strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine; his brigade includes Kalibr cruise missile carriers that have participated in attacks on Ukrainian cities. Local authorities acknowledged the incident, noting that the possibility of sabotage could not be ruled out, and an investigation is underway.