Arrest of Suspected Bomber in Bashkortostan Raises Questions
A 31-year-old man, identified as Ivan I., has been arrested in Ufa, Bashkortostan, on charges of committing sabotage by blowing up railway tracks. The Kirov District Court has placed him in custody until January 5, 2025. According to the United Press Service of the Courts, Ivan received instructions via a messaging app to execute the act in early November 2024, which resulted in the derailment of 22 coal cars on the Iglino-Dema section of the railway on November 3. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries during the incident.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) confirmed the act of sabotage, and a criminal case has been initiated under Article 281 of the Russian Criminal Code. Recovery teams from Chelyabinsk and Dema were dispatched to manage the aftermath, ensuring that passenger train services continued without disruption.
Background of the Suspect
Ivan I. hails from the Donetsk Oblast and moved to Russia with his mother in 2014. Prior to his relocation, he was wanted in Ukraine for theft. After obtaining a Russian passport in 2017, he served in the Russian Armed Forces, with postings in Armenia and Volgograd. Following his military service, Ivan settled in Ufa and worked various jobs, including as a driver at a brewery.
Despite his seemingly ordinary life, Ivan had aspirations beyond his employment. He sought to fund an innovative snow shovel invention online, although he failed to secure any financial backing. Additionally, he was engaged in poetry, publishing over a hundred works that often contained critiques of Russia.
Ivan's personal life was also marked by significant developments; he was expecting a child with his girlfriend, with the baby due in March 2025. The couple had plans to marry, but following his arrest, authorities searched their apartment. Sources close to Ivan expressed skepticism about claims of him being recruited for the bombing, asserting that he had a strong affinity for Russia and was not motivated by financial gain.
