On February 20, a taxi driver from Uzbekistan was attacked by an alleged assassin on Viborg Highway in the village of Pargolovo, north of Saint Petersburg. The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case on charges of attempted murder.

According to reports, the gunman, who was driving a black Toyota Camry, shot the 42-year-old Uzbek taxi driver Rustambek Aldayev in the head after Aldayev had dropped off children at Gymnasium No. 622. Footage released by the Investigative Committee shows a man with his face hidden under a cap approaching the driver and shooting him in broad daylight in front of a child and passersby.

"The unknown criminal, for unknown reasons, fired a shot from a firearm at the head of a 42-year-old man with the intent to kill, and then fled the scene," states the committee's report.

The victim has been admitted to the hospital, with doctors currently battling to save his life, as his condition is described as extremely grave. The motive for the attack remains undisclosed at this time.