Early on November 13, a homemade explosive device detonated in a car in the occupied city of Sevastopol, killing the driver, a 40-45-year-old Russian serviceman. The explosion occurred under the driver's seat as he was driving along Taras Shevchenko Street.
Witnesses of the incident assisted in removing the driver from the vehicle, but emergency responders who arrived at the scene could only confirm his death.
Local media reports identify the deceased as a captain of the 1st rank in the Russian Black Sea Fleet, who served as the head of the staff of the 41st brigade of missile boats and ships.
Russian media outlets suggest the explosion may have been the work of saboteurs, although some sources believe it could be an internal dispute within the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
According to Security Service of Ukraine sources, the attack on the vehicle of Valeriy Trankovsky, the head of the staff for the 41st brigade of missile ships, is considered a successful special operation by the SSU.
Valeriy Trankovsky, the Russian naval officer responsible for launching cruise missile strikes from the Black Sea on civilian targets in Ukraine, is now regarded as a war criminal. He issued orders for missile attacks, including on Vinnytsia in July 2022, which resulted in the deaths of 29 civilians. Trankovsky was also involved in attacks on Odessa and other peaceful cities, causing numerous civilian casualties. His actions made him a legitimate target under international law governing warfare.
Russian sources report that Trankovsky had been under surveillance for about a week before a remote-detonated explosive device ended his life.
“It is symbolic that a Russian war criminal, whose hands are stained with the blood of dozens of innocent Ukrainians, met his disgraceful end on Taras Shevchenko Street in Sevastopol. Retribution for his crimes was only a matter of time. No occupier or murderer can feel safe, no matter where they are,” an informed source from the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) stated to Ukrinform.
