Russian authorities arrest woman suspected of killing ex-Ukrainian submarine commander in Sevastopol

A former commander of a Ukrainian submarine who defected to Russia in 2014 was killed in a bomb attack in Sevastopol. Russian authorities arrested a 32-year-old woman, identified as Margarita Reut, suspecting her of planting the explosive device on orders from Ukrainian special services.

“

The investigators have established that the woman acted on the orders of the Ukrainian special services.

According to Telegram channels close to Russian security services, the victim was Robert Mansurovich Shageev, former commander of the Ukrainian submarine Zaporizhzhia. He was reportedly targeted while descending stairs with a friend. The suspect allegedly hid the explosive device in a trash can near a bench. The explosion was so powerful that locals initially thought it was a drone attack on a residential building. Shageev died at the scene from his injuries.

Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev stated that investigators determined the woman acted on orders from Ukrainian special services. Ukrainian authorities have not independently confirmed this claim. The suspect, Margarita Reut, is a Russian citizen from Yaroslavl and reportedly lived in Sochi. Russian channel Mash reported that Reut frequently traveled to Crimea and allegedly confessed during interrogation that she did not regret killing a Russian officer. She was reportedly paid in cryptocurrency for the attack and intended to leave Russia by plane from Sochi airport.

“

She did not regret killing a Russian officer.

Further reports from Russian Telegram channel Mash, which is close to security services, suggest Reut also worked as a biologist and appeared on escort websites. These details about her professional life and alleged online presence have not been independently verified. The channel also reported an incident in July 2025 where Reut was fined and detained for allegedly shouting "good riddance to Russians" after learning about a Ukrainian drone attack on a train station. She reportedly posted critical messages about Russia on social media in February 2026, expressing shame about being Russian.

“

I am ashamed to be Russian.