Former Azarov aide hospitalized after Moscow car explosion

An explosion involving Sergei Zavorotny’s car in southern Moscow on November 13 left the former aide to Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov hospitalized, Russian authorities and media reported. Russia’s Investigative Committee said it had opened an investigation. The committee did not identify a suspect.

Zavorotny, 72, was driving in the Chertanovo district when the blast occurred, according to Russian media accounts. Reports said passersby provided first aid before he was taken to hospital. The Investigative Committee said he was hospitalized with injuries, but did not publicly detail their nature.

Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that investigators were treating the explosion as attempted murder and suspected possible involvement by Ukrainian intelligence services. That account has not been accompanied by a publicly identified suspect or evidence establishing who caused the blast. The committee’s announcement of an investigation did not name a suspected perpetrator.

Some Russian media reports described the explosion as involving a device beneath the vehicle, while Kommersant said it was likely caused by a magnetic mine. The precise device and how it was placed have not...