In occupied Sevastopol, Russian security forces have detained Margarita Reutt, a 32-year-old Russian citizen, in connection with the bombing of an officer of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The explosion took place on 13 August; the serviceman was killed. Several media outlets have identified him as Robert Shageev — the former commander of the Ukrainian submarine «Zaporizhzhia», who defected to the Russian Federation in 2014.
Briefly about the main points
- The explosion took place near a residential estate on Stoletov Avenue.
- A Russian court has remanded Margarita Reutt in custody for two months.
- She is charged with a terrorist attack that resulted in the death of a person.
- In 2014, Shageev handed over the submarine to the Russian military.
- The FSB has not provided any independently verified evidence to support its version of events.
What is known about the explosion
An explosion occurred this morning near a residential estate on Stoletov Avenue. The injured man died at the scene. Russian security forces have officially confirmed the death of a serviceman from the Russian Ministry of Defence, though they did not initially disclose his name.
According to Russian Telegram channels, the explosive device was allegedly hidden in a rubbish bin next to the stairs the soldier was walking down. These details have not been independently confirmed by official sources.
Pre-trial measures and the Russian investigation’s version of events
The Leninsky District Court of occupied Sevastopol has appointed Margarita Reutt A pre-trial detention order of two months. She has been charged under a Russian law relating to a terrorist act resulting in the death of a person; if convicted, she could face up to 30 years’ imprisonment.
The Russian investigation claims that the woman was in occupied Crimea from 25 June to 13 August, was planning the attack, remotely activated the device and was acting on instructions from the Ukrainian security services. Russian sources also claim that she was paid in cryptocurrency. This is the investigators’ version of events, which has not been corroborated by publicly available, independently verified evidence.
Reutt’s previous detention in Russia
In July 2025, Reutt was arrested on the Samara–Adler passenger train following an attack by Ukrainian drones on a railway station in the Rostov Oblast. According to media reports, she shouted: «That’s what you deserve, Russians!».
At the time, a Russian court sentenced her to two days« administrative detention for allegedly disobeying the police and fined her 30,000 roubles for the so-called »discrediting’ of the Russian Armed Forces. Russian propagandists are now citing this incident, labelling her a supporter of Ukraine.
Shagayev served in the Ukrainian Navy until the occupation of Crimea
Robert Shageev From 2011, he commanded the diesel-electric submarine U-01 «Zaporizhzhia», which at that time was Ukraine’s only submarine. In March 2014, during the Russian occupation of Crimea, he handed the submarine over to the Russian military, breached his oath of office and defected to the Russian Armed Forces.
After that, Shageev continued his career at The Black Sea Fleet Russia. The State Bureau of Investigations has concluded a special pre-trial investigation into him on suspicion of treason and desertion. The media have also linked him to Russian submarines that carried out missile strikes on Ukraine.
The Ukrainian authorities have not claimed any involvement
The FSB claims that the bombing was organised by the Ukrainian security services, but has not released any evidence that could be independently verified. The Ukrainian authorities have not claimed responsibility for the operation and have not commented on it officially.
There is no mention in the available reports of any confirmed links between Reutt and the Ukrainian security services. Her legal status is determined by the Russian criminal proceedings.
