What's happened
A Russian man has been detained by the FSB for his alleged involvement in a car bomb attack on former Ukrainian intelligence officer Vasily Prozorov in Moscow. The suspect, recruited by the SBU, assembled and planted the explosive device under Prozorov's SUV. This incident follows the recent car bomb attack on Prozorov, who defected to Russia before the invasion of Ukraine. In a separate case, suspects in the deadly Moscow concert hall attack claimed they were promised safe passage to Ukraine.
Why it matters
The detention of the suspect in the car bomb attack highlights the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with allegations of cross-border espionage and violence. The incident underscores the risks faced by individuals involved in intelligence activities and the potential for retaliatory attacks. The conflicting narratives surrounding the Moscow concert hall attack further complicate the situation, with Russia blaming Ukraine and its Western allies, while denying involvement in the tragedy.
What the papers say
The Moscow Times reports on the detention of the suspect in the car bomb attack and the background of the former Ukrainian intelligence officer. Politico focuses on Russia's efforts to shift blame for the concert hall attack to Ukraine and boost recruitment for its armed forces. The Independent highlights Russian authorities' attempts to link the attack to Ukraine through evidence found on a suspect's phone.
How we got here
The car bomb attack on Vasily Prozorov comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with accusations of espionage and violence on both sides. Prozorov, a former member of Ukraine's SBU security service, had defected to Russia before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Moscow concert hall attack, which left over 140 people dead, has been attributed to ISIS-K, but Russia continues to blame Ukraine and its Western allies for the incident.
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