Former prison guard accused of torture killed in car bombing in Russia

A car exploded in the city of Novomoskovsk in Russia’s Tula region on 2 October, killing the driver. Authorities have not officially named the victim, but independent journalists identified the vehicle as a Hyundai Solaris registered to local resident Roman Syromyatnikov.

On 3 October, the local newspaper Novomoskovsk Segodnya published an obituary describing Syromyatnikov as a teacher, writer, participant in Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, and someone actively involved in the patriotic education of young people.

According to the investigative outlet Vazhnye Istorii (Important Stories), Syromyatnikov previously worked in Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN). In 2023 he signed a contract and fought in Ukraine. He was wounded in late 2024 and returned to Novomoskovsk. Both before and after his military service he taught “Fundamentals of Life Safety” at local colleges.

Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office has accused Syromyatnikov of involvement in the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war at penal colony IK-1 in the Tula region. Ukrainian authorities say he took part in the abuse of at least 50 Ukrainian servicemen, including beatings with hands, feet, clubs and hammers, as well as electric shocks. He has been placed on Ukraine’s wanted list.

There has been no official confirmation that the explosion was a deliberate attack. However, the Telegram channel VChK-OGPU, which is considered close to Russian security services, claimed the blast was caused by an explosive device placed under the driver’s seat on the underside of the car.