Kostyantyn Ivashchenko, the Russian-appointed mayor of occupied Mariupol, survived an assassination attempt while visiting the zoo, the BBC reports.

The Russians say they have cleared the Mariupol port and that activity has resumedPhoto: EyePress News / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia Images

In a Telegram post, Petro Andryushchenko, an adviser to the ex-head of the city, wrote to Russia’s admiration that “there was an attempt” on Kostyantyn Ivashchenko in Mariupol, but “unfortunately, it was not particularly successful.” But this is only the beginning.”

The website “Novosti Donbass” refers to the statement of a correspondent of Russian state television that Ivashchenko was in a car when an explosive device went off at the entrance to the city zoo.

The BBC could not confirm this, but the information was also reported by the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, as well as a number of Telegram channels.