Off-duty Russian soldier detonates grenade he brought back from the front, killing himself and three others

Four people were killed on Tuesday in Russia’s Tula region when an explosive device detonated near an apartment building, according to the Russian Investigative Committee.

Telegram channels Ostorozhno, Novosti and Astra report that the blast was triggered by 32-year-old Alexey Kurvyakov, a participant in the war against Ukraine. Kurvyakov had a long criminal record, including convictions for robbery and bodily harm. He had joined the army from prison, where he was serving a sentence for extortion, and had recently returned from the front.

Kurvyakov reportedly detonated a grenade he had brought back from the front during an argument with an acquaintance. The explosion killed three people on the spot, including Kurvyakov. A fourth person died on the way to the hospital.

The Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case in connection with the deaths.