Camilla Jessen
A vehicle carrying four members of Russia’s Akhmat unit was destroyed in a deadly explosion in occupied southern Ukraine.
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) confirmed on May 21 that a car bomb exploded in occupied Kherson region, killing four officers from the Chechen Akhmat unit, a pro-Kremlin paramilitary force loyal to Ramzan Kadyrov.
The blast reportedly occurred on May 20 along the road between Skadovsk and Antonivka, in southern Ukraine, where Russian forces continue to hold territory.
The vehicle, a UAZ Patriot SUV, was allegedly carrying four Russian officers from the Akhmat unit when it was destroyed in the explosion.
“None survived,” the HUR report stated.
This was reported by United24 Media.
Secondary Explosion Suggests Ammo Onboard
Shortly after the initial blast, a secondary explosion followed — believed to have been caused by detonating ammunition inside the vehicle.
While Ukrainian officials did not disclose how the bomb was planted or whether it was triggered remotely, the incident marks a clear escalation in guerrilla-style attacks targeting elite Russian units far behind the front lines.
This latest attack comes just days after the confirmed elimination of Buvaysar Khasanovich Umkhanov, a senior Akhmat battalion commander known by the call sign “Tarzan.”
Umkhanov was killed during a Ukrainian strike on a command post in Russia’s Kursk region, according to earlier military reports.
He served as a platoon commander in the “Hunter” battalion of the 4th Akhmat Special Purpose Brigade, operating under Russia’s Ministry of Defense.
His unit was primarily deployed to secure Russia’s state border near Kursk.
The Akhmat special forces, named after Ramzan Kadyrov’s father, are among Russia’s most loyal and notorious paramilitary units.
Often involved in high-profile operations and propaganda, the group has played a significant role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.