An investigation into the “terrorist attack” has begun: what is known about the train crash in Russia

Russian authorities have launched an investigation into a “terrorist attack” after a freight train derailed Saturday due to an explosion in an area southeast of Moscow, the Investigative Committee said. Here’s what we know about this case.

What’s happened ?

The detonation of an “improvised explosive device” caused 19 cars to derail in the morning, 15 of which were damaged, in the Ryazan region, the Investigative Committee explained on Telegram. It said it had launched an investigation into the “act of terrorism” and the acquisition, transportation or storage of explosives.

The employee was slightly injured, the state-owned Russian Railways previously reported, adding that the crash was due to “intervention by outsiders.”

Where are the investigations?

Investigators are seeking to establish “all the circumstances of the incident and the people involved in the crime,” said the Investigative Committee, which is responsible for the main investigations in the country. Images posted on his Telegram account showed several overturned carriages.

Is Ukraine participating?

Numerous railway sabotages have been reported in Russia since Moscow launched its offensive in Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow has repeatedly accused Kyiv of responsibility. Authorities have not yet accused Ukraine of sponsoring Saturday’s crash.

A fire also broke out on Friday night at a gunpowder factory in the Tambov region in central Russia. According to regional authorities, the fire was “quickly extinguished” and there were no casualties.

The cause and circumstances of the fire are “under investigation,” they added. Several Russian Telegram channels, citing eyewitnesses, said that “explosion sounds” were heard before the fire started. We were unable to verify these claims.

There had already been an explosion at the plant in June, which killed four people. The governor of the Tambov region, Maxim Egorov, then assured that this was not an attack.