Russian Submarine Commander Who Defected From Ukraine Killed By Bomb

Russian Naval Captain Robert Shageev, who had commanded Ukraine's only submarine in 2014 but defected when the Russians seized Crimea that year, was killed by a bomb placed near his home in Sebastopol earlier today. 

Ukraine neither forgives nor forgets. JL

The Kyiv Post reports:

Russian Naval Captain Robert Shageev was killed earlier today when an explosive device detonated near a residential area in Russian-occupied Sevastopol. He was a Captain1st rank in Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Shageev previously served in the Ukrainian Navy and commanded the Zaporizhzhia – Ukraine’s only submarine at the time. He defected to Russia after Moscow occupied and illegally annexed Crimea in 2014. Shageev later served in Russia’s Black Sea Fleet as deputy commander of its 4th Separate Submarine Brigade. Ukraine charged him with treason and desertion over his decision to join the Russian military. Shageev continued serving Russia during its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He had commanded the Stary Oskol, a Russian submarine capable of carrying Kalibr cruise missiles.

A Russian military officer was killed on Thursday when an explosive device detonated near a residential area in Russian-occupied Sevastopol.

The blast occurred on Stoletovsky Avenue as the officer walked down a staircase with another man, according to Russian Telegram channels Mash and 112, which have links to the country’s security services.

Preliminary reports said the explosive device had been hidden in a trash bin beside a bench. Witnesses said the explosion was so powerful that some initially believed a drone had struck a nearby building. 

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), confirmed that the victim was a Russian defense ministry serviceman. It said a Russian woman born in 1994 had been detained on suspicion of involvement and alleged that she acted on instructions from Ukrainian intelligence. 

Ukrainian authorities have not commented on the explosion or claimed responsibility.

Russian and Ukrainian Telegram channels identified the victim as Robert Shageev, a captain 1st rank and officer in Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Shageev previously served in the Ukrainian Navy and commanded the Zaporizhzhia – Ukraine’s only submarine at the time. However, he defected to Russia after Moscow occupied and illegally annexed Crimea in 2014.

Shageev later served in Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, including as deputy commander of its 4th Separate Submarine Brigade. Ukraine charged him with treason and desertion over his decision to join the Russian military. 

Ukrainian investigators have said Shageev continued serving Russia during its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He previously commanded the Stary Oskol, a Russian submarine capable of carrying Kalibr cruise missiles.

Some Ukrainian reports have linked him to Russian submarine-launched missile attacks against Ukraine.

Sevastopol, the main base of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in occupied Crimea, has repeatedly been targeted since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.