Former Olenivka colony chief reportedly killed in car explosion in occupied Donetsk

Initially, the explosion was reported by RIA Novosti and TASS.

At least two people were seriously injured in the explosion. According to media reports, the explosion occurred on the driver’s side of the vehicle.

The invading forces have not disclosed who owned the car. However, the Russian propaganda Telegram channel Mash reported, citing its own sources, that the former head of the Olenivka prison colony, Sergey Yevsiukov, may have died in the explosion. According to their information, his wife was also injured: she reportedly lost a leg and is in critical condition in the hospital.

Preliminary reports indicate that about 100 grams of plastic explosives, equivalent to TNT, were planted under the Toyota Land Cruiser.

Later, the Russian state propaganda agency TASS denied this information. Citing the main department of the Federal Penitentiary Service of the terrorist organization "DPR," they claimed that the person killed in the SUV explosion in Donetsk was serving in the agency.

As of now, no one has claimed responsibility for the car explosion.

The Olenivka terror attack  

On the night of July 29, 2022, Russian armed forces deliberately targeted a correctional facility in Olenivka, Donetsk region, where Ukrainian prisoners of war were being held.  

The explosion destroyed the facility where the prisoners of war were located, killing 53 people and injuring over 130 others.  

Russia blamed Ukraine for the attack, claiming it was carried out using HIMARS rocket systems supplied by the United States. The Russians even displayed alleged fragments of ammunition they claimed to have found at the scene. The Russian Ministry of Defense invited experts, including representatives from the UN and the Red Cross, to inspect the Olenivka facility. However, international organizations were denied access to the site of the tragedy.  

On October 11, 2022, Ukraine recovered the remains of 62 soldiers, including those who died in the mass execution at Olenivka. The exact number of victims and a full list of the deceased can only be determined after identification efforts.  

On July 25, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk refuted Russia’s claims that the Olenivka prison was attacked by HIMARS rocket systems. He condemned the lack of accountability for the killings of Ukrainian prisoners of war.  

On July 29, Ukraine’s Security Service announced charges against those involved in the mass killing of Ukrainian prisoners at Olenivka in July 2022, including former head of the Volnovakha prison colony of the so-called "DPR," Sergey Yevsiukov, and his former deputy, Dmitry Neyolov.