Assassinations of Russian-appointed officials in occupied Ukraine have become increasingly common.
Many have been targeted with car bombs. The latest incident happened in Berdiansk, a key port city on the Azov Sea.
On Feb. 20, a powerful explosion killed Yevgeny Bogdanov, deputy head of the local occupation administration, reports the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) claimed responsibility. According to their statement, Bogdanov played a major role in the occupation.
He was in charge of financial operations for Russian-installed authorities and helped build fortifications in occupied areas of Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
The agency accused him of committing war crimes against Ukrainian citizens.
The explosion completely destroyed a gray Renault Duster. HUR stated that Bogdanov was inside at the time. Russian authorities have not officially confirmed his death.
Bogdanov had been in Berdiansk since early 2022. He arrived shortly after Russian forces seized the city and was appointed to his position on orders from Moscow’s special services.
His work helped strengthen Russian control in the region, which remains strategically important.
The port is a key hub for transporting looted Ukrainian grain and other resources.
This is not the first attack on occupation officials. In December, Vasyl Nechet, the Russian-installed head of Berdiansk, was injured in a similar car bombing.
In October, Russian Major Dmitry Pervukha was killed in occupied Luhansk under the same circumstances.
These assassinations send a clear message. Ukrainian resistance forces continue to operate deep inside Russian-controlled territory.
Even those in high-ranking positions are not safe.
