Explosion in St. Petersburg military academy injures four, sparks criminal investigation

After an “unknown unencased object” exploded on the second floor of the Mozhaisky military academy in St. Petersburg, injuring four servicemembers, Russia’s Investigative Committee has initiated a criminal investigation. The Committee is treating the incident as an attempted murder case. A military investigation is also underway, and the academy has been evacuated.

Local media sources have provided conflicting information about the nature of the explosive object. Baza reported that it was an anti-tank mine, while Fontanka indicated that it was an improvised explosive device. Fontanka also reported that the device exploded while the academy’s own explosives group was attempting to disarm it.