A passenger bus crash in St. Petersburg on February 28 left one pedestrian dead and multiple cars damaged, sparking investigations and heightened scrutiny over public transport safety.
Witnesses reported the incident occurred around 3:20 PM when the driver of bus number 147 lost control, veering off course and colliding with several vehicles before running over the victim. According to footage acquired by Fontanka, the bus seemed to accelerate sharply upon turning from Varshavskaya Street onto Leningradsky Avenue, leading to the chaotic collision and the bus shattering the bus stop shelter.
The scene was described as harrowing, with the bus crashing through the guard rail, hitting several parked cars, and then onto the pavement where it struck the pedestrian, who tragically did not survive the ordeal. Other pedestrians reportedly managed to flee the area right before the impact.
The 55-year-old driver, originally from Dagestan with 16 years of experience, is currently under investigation for potential violations of traffic safety laws. Reports indicate the driver may have fallen asleep behind the wheel, prompting prosecutors to initiate criminal proceedings. Eyewitnesses assert the driver was conscious and appeared to be trying to regain control of the vehicle as it careened off course.
This incident has raised safety concerns about the reliability of public transport services. According to local official reports, the investigation will include examining the driver’s medical records and work history with the transport company since 2022.
Simultaneously, St. Petersburg was not the only area experiencing transport disruptions as numerous users across Russia reported issues with banking applications on the same day. The Russian communication watchdog, Roskomnadzor, attributed these widespread service outages to failures within the major communication networks around Moscow, stating they began to notice reports from users around the same time as the bus crash.
By 6:30 PM, reports of issues were continuing mainly with banks such as VTB, Sberbank, and T-Bank, alongside similar complaints from the Bank of Saint Petersburg. Although some problems appeared to subside, they sparked skepticism as users struggled to access funds, highlighting the fragility of digital services during crises.
Meanwhile, political drama unfolded as the granddaughter of former Samara mayor, Viktor Tarkhov, confessed to his murder alongside his wife. Ekaterina Tarkhova-Belskaya, 30, revealed during police interrogations details about her accomplice, leading to his current international pursuit. Driven primarily by greed to access her grandparents’ wealth, she admitted to poisoning them, followed by dismembering their bodies using nitrogen and disposing of them across Samara’s dumpster sites.
This sensational case has raised serious questions about familial trust and ruthless ambition, especially since the defendants' actions have been linked to wider criminal undertakings. A court has ordered psychological evaluations of Tarkhova-Belskaya, who has been under allegations of substance abuse.
Another tragic headline emerged from Greece, where mass protests began marking the second anniversary of a railway disaster claiming 57 lives. On February 28, over 200,000 demonstrators took to the streets across more than 350 cities, voicing their frustration over government delays surrounding the investigation.
The peaceful protests turned chaotic when anarchists clashed with police. Reports indicate five individuals were hospitalized due to breathing issues caused by use of tear gas as authorities attempted to restore order. These protests coincide with broader national strikes, paralyzing transportation services which indicates public outrage has reached its boiling point as citizens express their pain over systemic failures.
Adding another layer to February 28’s events, the messenger application WhatsApp experienced significant service disruptions globally, affecting thousands as users complained about difficulties sending and receiving messages.
These intertwined narratives showcase contrasting facets of daily life, from tragic violence, corruption, and systemic failures, to localized troubles and mass public outpouring. They highlight the complex socio-political climate within which Russian and global citizens navigate their lives, marking February 28, 2025, as another significant date laden with turmoil and tragedy.
This day will undoubtedly linger with its impact assessed and felt across various communities, both within Russia and beyond its borders.