On February 17, 2026, a powerful explosion struck the building of the military commandant's office (Military Police) in the city of Sertolovo, Vsevolozhsk District, Leningrad Region. The blast, which occurred around 14:20 local time, led to the partial collapse of the second and third floors, as well as the attic. Rescue teams are currently clearing debris where several servicemen are believed to be trapped.

Current Casualty Report (as of 16:30)

As the rescue operation progresses, casualty figures from various sources have begun to stabilize:

• Confirmed Deaths: 3 people (according to Mash and Fontanka). One victim was reportedly crushed by a collapsing concrete slab.

• Missing/Under Debris: 3 to 4 people are believed to be trapped. Rescuers have noted that at least one person under the rubble is showing signs of life.

• Evacuation: The immediate area was cleared due to the threat of further structural collapse.

Witness Accounts and Immediate Reaction

Residents near the Preobrazhensky Market, located approximately two kilometers from the military unit, reported hearing a single, massive "clap" followed by a distinct smell of gunpowder.

Alexander Drozdenko, the Governor of the Leningrad Region, confirmed the incident via Telegram:

"I have instructed the security bloc to provide all necessary assistance to the military in clearing the debris and rescuing those trapped after the collapse of the military police building in Sertolovo."

Possible Causes

While an official cause has not yet been named by the Leningrad Military District, preliminary reports suggest:

• Internal Source: The epicenter was located in a service room on the third floor.

• Non-Drone Related: Early indicators suggest the explosion was not caused by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), pointing instead toward a technical accident or a violation of safety protocols during the handling of munitions or engineering systems.

Broader Context

The incident reflects a trend of increasing accidents at military facilities in Russia.

• Regional Data: Narva News previously analyzed that between 2018 and 2023, at least 14 major incidents occurred at military depots and administrative buildings in border regions, often linked to storage violations or aging infrastructure.

• Comparison: Similar tragedies have occurred elsewhere, such as the 2023 blast at the Libavá military range in the Czech Republic (1 dead) and an accident at the Tapa training grounds in Estonia in November 2023.