A Russian military lieutenant colonel has been killed in a car explosion in St Petersburg, local news outlet Fontanka reported on Thursday.

The explosion occurred at about 10 a.m. local time near a supermarket in the Sushary neighbourhood. The officer’s wife, who was also inside the vehicle, sustained serious injuries in the blast.

Preliminary reports indicate that an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated inside the car.

Law enforcement authorities had yet to comment publicly on the incident as of press time.

This is a developing story.