Russia claims killing of military correspondent Vladlen Tatarsky ‘planned’ by Ukraine

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia on Monday claimed that the killing of military correspondent Vladlen Tatarsky by a cafe blast in the city of St. Petersburg on Sunday was “planned” by Ukraine’s special services.

"This is a terrorist act, we have seen the statement of the NAK (National Anti-Terrorism Committee). Now the active phase of the investigation is underway, we see quite vigorous steps to detain the suspects. In any case, let's be patient and wait for the statements of our special services that work there,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed in a press briefing.

In response to a question on whether Russia President Vladimir Putin was informed about the topic, Peskov said Putin was immediately made aware.

"We wish a speedy recovery to those who suffered as a result of this terrorist attack and, of course, we condole with the families and friends of (Maxim) Fomin, who died as a result of this terrorist attack," he added.

Earlier in the day, the NAK claimed that the blast that killed Tatarsky was “planned” by Ukraine’s special services.

“The terrorist act committed on April 2 in St. Petersburg against the well-known journalist Vladlen Tatarsky was planned by the special services of Ukraine with the involvement of agents from among persons collaborating with the so-called Navalny Anti-Corruption Fund, of which the detained (Daria) Trepova is an active supporter,” a statement by the NAK read on Russian social network VK.

Meanwhile, according to the press service of the Russian Health Ministry, the number of those injured by the cafe blast rose to 32.

The condition of 10 people are considered to be serious and injuries of 16 people were assessed to be moderate, while the condition of five people was deemed satisfactory, with another person being treated on an outpatient basis, the statement said.

The Russian Investigative Committee announced it opened a criminal case about the explosion, with a later statement on Telegram saying its personnel detained Trepova on suspicion of being involved in the explosion.

Ukrainian authorities are yet to respond to the claims.

One of the most influential military bloggers in Russia, Tatarsky had more than 560,000 followers on Telegram.