Sergei Yevsyukov, the former head of Olenivka Prison in Russian-occupied Ukraine, was killed in a car explosion in Donetsk, a city under Russian control. The blast, caused by an explosive device placed under his vehicle, killed the 49-year-old and injured several others, including his wife, who lost a leg in the attack.
Yevsyukov had overseen the prison during the deadly missile strike in July 2022 that killed Ukrainian prisoners of war, an incident that sparked controversy over accusations of war crimes. Russia had blamed Ukraine for the attack, while Ukraine claimed it was an attempt by Russia to cover up torture and other crimes.
The car bomb attack on Yevsyukov is being seen as part of a series of targeted killings of Russian-installed officials and pro-Kremlin figures in the occupied territories of Ukraine. Previous incidents include the assassination of a senior naval officer in Crimea and other attacks on Russian officers.
This latest attack highlights the ongoing violence and tension in regions like Donetsk, which have been under partial Russian control since 2014. The area remains one of the most contested in the ongoing conflict.