Tragedy in Luhansk
A terrible event occurred in the very center of Luhansk – an explosion, as a result of which Manolis Pilavov, who had headed the occupation administration of the city for many years, was killed. The incident took place near the local history museum, where an exhibition dedicated to the Russian operation 'Stream' was opened.
The death of Pilavov was confirmed by official Russian state media. The collaborator headed the occupation administration of Luhansk from December 2014, essentially from August, when the city was captured, until November 2023.
Accusations and Context
Since 2015, Manolis Pilavov had been wanted by the Security Service of Ukraine. He was accused of violating three articles of the criminal code: attempts to violently change or overthrow the constitutional order by seizing state power; encroachment on the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine; the creation of a terrorist group or organization.
The explosion occurred on the day when the occupiers are celebrating the third anniversary of the so-called 'liberation of LNR'. The exhibition, during the opening of which the tragedy occurred, was timed to the operation 'Stream' – the passage of Russian troops through the gas pipeline in the rear of the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region.
After the tragic event in Luhansk, questions arose about possible connections between the explosion and the 'Stream' operation and the potential consequences for the situation in eastern Ukraine.