The Kremlin called the murder of prominent military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky an “act of terrorism” and arrested Darya Trepova, 26, in connection with the explosion that killed him.
Trepova was arrested on Monday in connection with the St. Petersburg cafe bombing that killed Max Fromin, better known as Vladlen Tatarsky, while speaking to an audience of about 100 people, the Russian investigative commission said.
On Monday, the Kremlin said Tatarsky’s murder was a “terrorist act,” citing Russia’s Counter-Terrorism Committee as having evidence of Ukraine’s involvement in the assassination.
According to Russian police, before the explosion, the bust that the suspect gave to the blogger contained an explosive device containing more than 200 grams of TNT.
A witness named Alisa Smotrova said the woman, who identified herself as Nastya, asked questions and exchanged comments with Tatarsky, Sky News reported.
Ms Smotrova quoted Nastya as saying that she made a miniature blogger figurine, but the guards asked her to leave it at the door, thinking it might be a bomb.
According to Mrs. Smotrov, before going to the door, taking the bust and handing it to Tatarsky, a joke ensued. Tatarsky reportedly placed the bust on a nearby table and there was an explosion during his speech.
According to Russian state media, at least 32 people were injured in the explosion, 10 of them seriously, and 19 of the injured are in hospitals.
Tatarsky had over 560,000 Telegram followers and was one of the most influential military bloggers commenting on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Source: I News
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