Ukraine: Car explosion kills one in Kiev June 27

Event

On Tuesday, June 27, a car bomb exploded in the Solomenskiy district of Kiev at 05:13 (local time). The explosion occurred while the car was moving and resulted in the death of a Ukrainian military intelligence officer; one other person was injured.

The incident is being investigated as a terrorist attack in conjunction with the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Context

Armed conflict continues to take place in eastern Ukraine between government and separatist forces, despite recent ceasefire agreements that came into effect on April 1 and again on June 24. In accordance with the Minsk protocol (September 2014) and Minsk II (February 2015) ceasefires have officially been in place for several years in eastern Ukraine (Donbass region) between Russian-backed separatists, who advocate closer ties with Russia, and the Ukrainian government. However, despite these agreements, clashes are regularly reported in the region. More than 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict since 2014. However, casualties linked to the ongoing conflict are relatively rare in the city of Kiev.

Advice

Individuals in Kiev are advised to avoid the blast site and to adhere to all instructions issued by the authorities.

On a related note, due to ongoing conflicts the east of the country, many Western governments advise against travel to the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts (provinces; Donbass region), as well as areas along the Russian border.