On September 8, an explosion occurred near military unit in Khabarovsk, Russia, according to Ukrainian media citing verified sources in the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. The facility houses the 748th Separate Operational Battalion of Russia’s National Guard (Rosgvardia), which commited war crimes in Ukraine’s Kyiv Oblast during the early stages of Russia’s  2022 full-skale invasion.
 
The blasts, reportedly caused by two improvised explosive devices, went off around 9 a.m. in the base’s parking lot as soldiers and officers were arriving for duty. DIU sources confirmed fatalities and injuries among Rosgvardia personnel. Following the incident, russian security services reportedly restricted mobile internet and rerouted public transportation to limit information about the explosion.

The 748th Battalion is known for its participation in battles near Kyiv, including Bucha, Irpin, and Dymer, where widespread atrocities against civilians were reported. Ukrainian intelligence previously published personal data of soldiers involved in mass killings, torture, and looting, emphasizing that those responsible for war crimes would be held accountable.

The Khabarovsk explosion follows a series of Ukrainian defense intelligence operations inside Russian territory. In August 2025, DIU carried out a sabotage in Krasnodar Krai targeting the 90th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade, resulting in at least 12 Russian military deaths, dozens of injuries, and the destruction of equipment.

Local residents confirmed mobile internet outages and unusual transport disruptions after the blasts. Russian authorities described these as security measures, but details on casualties and the cause of the explosion remain limited.

Striking units with a history of war crimes carries both tactical and psychological significance, exposing vulnerabilities in Russian military infrastructure and sending a clear message that impunity will not be tolerated.