A 32-year-old Russian woman, identified as Margarita Reutt, has been remanded in custody for two months in Sevastopol, Crimea, on charges of terrorism resulting in death. Authorities allege Reutt assassinated Robert Shageev, a 49-year-old former commander of Ukraine's only submarine, who had defected to Russia in 2014.
The victim was reportedly killed by a bomb detonated in a trash bin as he walked past. Shageev had assumed a senior position within Russia's Black Sea Fleet after defecting and was accused of commanding a brigade that targeted Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. Ukraine had previously branded him a traitor.
Reutt, a Russian citizen, is accused of acting on orders from Ukrainian intelligence. She faces up to 20 years in prison for the current charge, with potential for a 30-year sentence if additional charges are brought. According to Russian media reports, she refused to express remorse for Shageev's death during FSB interrogation.
Before her arrest, Reutt reportedly worked as a biologist and was also listed on escort websites. She was allegedly planning to flee the country after the attack, having purchased a ticket from Sochi. Reutt had previously been heard criticizing Russia's military actions, with one report citing her shouting "Serves you right, Russians!" after news of a drone attack on a railway station.
The bombing occurred in a residential area of Sevastopol, a key port for Russia's Black Sea Fleet. A female friend of the victim expressed shock and grief at the scene, describing the incident as a terrorist attack and lamenting the impact of the war on civilians. Neither Russia nor Ukraine has officially commented on the victim or the incident.
