Prosecuted army serviceman escapes onto Ufa highway, threatens law enforcement with hand grenade

A Russian serviceman prosecuted for leaving a military base without permission has escaped from custody in Ufa. Brandishing a hand grenade, he demands the detectives close the criminal case against him.

Update: The suspect has surrendered to the authorities after speaking with Bashkortostan Governor Radiy Khabirov. The grenade was disabled without detonating.

The Telegram news channel Baza reports the suspect was en route to be seen by a forensic psychiatrist when he got out of the vehicle onto the highway; some sources report he pulled out the grenade’s safety pin.

A 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) segment of the highway is blocked by police in bulletproof vests, the local media report. The law enforcement is negotiating with the escaped suspect. Baza identifies him as the 39-year-old Ildar B., who was under contract with the Russian army.