The car of Russian writer and co-chairman of the political party A Just Russia — For Truth, Zakhar Prilepin, exploded on Saturday in the Nizhny Novgorod region, leaving the politician's driver killed, TASS reported.

The state-run agency cited emergency services as saying that the explosive device was planted under the car, adding that Prilepin was injured.

The Russian Interior Ministry confirmed the driver's death, noting that there are no other victims.

In Nizhny Novgorod, an Audi Q7 car with Zakhar Prilepin was blown up. Prilepin was seriously wounded and taken to the nearest hospital. Local media report that the deceased driver of Prilepin was a citizen of Ukraine. The explosion of Prilepin's car was so strong that it tore… pic.twitter.com/1DKteAhAvk

— Victor vicktop55 (@vicktop55) May 6, 2023

Prilepin’s press service said the writer was "all right", while medical services later confirmed that he was transferred to the hospital due to injuries to both legs.

Commenting on the incident, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, "Washington and NATO have fed another international terrorist cell - the Kiev regime."

Later, the Investigative Committee of Russia confirmed that it opened a terrorism probe into the case.

"The Investigative Committee of Russia has opened a criminal case into a terrorist act in connection with the explosion of Zakhar Prilepin's car."

Earlier, the Russian Interior Ministry confirmed that the police in Nizhny Novgorod have detained a man who may be involved in the explosion.

"In the Nizhny Novgorod Region, the police detained in hot pursuit a man, who may be involved in blowing up the car carrying Zakhar Prilepin," the Ministry said in a statement.

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