The Odesa car bombing suspect, a 22-year-old man, was arrested on 5 July 2025 by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the National Police, the same day the explosion seriously injured a local man. Odesa is the local capital in southern Ukraine on the Black Sea coast.

Explosive detonated under parked car in Odesa’s Kyivskyi District

According to the SBU, the suspect, a previously convicted resident of Zaporizhzhia, planted a pre-prepared homemade explosive device under a vehicle. His handler from Russian special services selected the targeted car. The bombing took place in the morning of 5 July on Varna Street in the Kyivskyi District of Odesa.

The SBU states the Odesa car bombing suspect acted on instructions from Russian handlers who coordinated the attack remotely. The Russians reportedly recruited the man through Telegram channels. SBU says he acted on direct instructions from Russian intelligence. To transmit the explosion to his handlers in real time, the suspect installed a remotely-accessed smartphone facing the bombing site.

Civilian seriously injured in the explosion

Suspilne reported shortly after the attack that the blast seriously injured a local man, who was hospitalized with heavy bodily injuries. His car, under which the explosive was planted, was completely destroyed.

This comes amid the daily Russian drone and missile strikes, often targeting Odesa. Nearby residents told Suspilne that the explosion, which occurred without any air raid alert, also damaged windows in adjacent residential buildings.

A local resident said,

“I heard a strong explosion. I looked outside and saw smoke. We helped him—he was alive but in shock.”

According to witnesses, the blast occurred around 09:00.

SBU captures Odesa car bombing suspect as he tries to flee after the attack, the man faces terrorism charges

The SBU reports that following the detonation, the suspect attempted to leave Odesa Oblast, hoping to go into hiding. However, SBU officers and the National Police detained him “hot on the trail” later that same day, 5 July 2025.

The man has been formally notified of suspicion under the Criminal Cde’s Part 2 of Article 258—committing a terrorist act. He faces up to 12 years in prison. The SBU says pre-trial investigative actions are ongoing, and efforts are underway to establish all the circumstances of the crime.