A former mayor of Lugansk, appointed by Russia, was killed in an explosion, the Moscow-appointed authorities of the Lugansk region announced, quoted by Agence France-Presse, BTA reports.
The pro-Russian government of the region has described the explosion as a terrorist act.
"In a dastardly terrorist act in the center of Lugansk, the former head of the administration of the capital of our republic was killed" Manolis Pilavov, said in a statement on the "Telegram" communication application of the Russian-appointed governor Leonid Pasechnik.
Pilavov was mayor of Luhansk from 2014 to 2023.
Pasechnik called for a thorough investigation into the incident to clarify the circumstances surrounding the explosion, and assured that those responsible for Pilavov's murder would be punished.
The blast reportedly injured three people, one of whom is in serious condition.
Russia's Investigative Committee said it was opening an investigation into a terrorist act.
Kiev has not yet commented on Pilavov's death.
The intelligence services said Pilavov was killed by a female suicide bomber, TASS reported.