Four days after the shootings and the deadly explosion in Oviedo, there is still no trace of the suspected perpetrator. While the police are maintaining the pressure of their manhunt in the Asturian capital, they now consider it possible that the suspect may have already left the region. Consequently, the search has been extended to the entire territory of Spain, and an alert has been issued at the borders.
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
Still no sign of “El Ruso”
Since Tuesday, a large-scale operation known as “Operación Jaula” has been underway in Oviedo, with police aiming to prevent the suspected perpetrator from leaving the city. However, even after four days, the operation has not led to an arrest. More than 300 officers from the Policía Nacional, the Guardia Civil, and other units remain involved in the search.
Checks are being carried out on the city’s arterial roads, as well as at train and bus stations, among other locations. At the same time, security forces are searching for potential hiding places in buildings, commercial properties, and the area surrounding Oviedo.
The most recent concrete lead, which emerged yesterday, Thursday, pointed to a finca (country estate) near the building on Calle Rafael Urrusti where the initial events had taken place. The Grupo Especial de Operaciones (GEO) continued its search there as well – but without success. Prior to this, authorities had already searched several other locations, including a building in the Pumarín district and various warehouses in the Espíritu Santo industrial estate.
Manhunt now extended to all of Spain
After several unsuccessful days, the police have revised their assessment. While Oviedo remains the focal point of the investigation, authorities no longer rule out the possibility that the person being sought may have left the city. Consequently, the manhunt has been extended to cover the entire territory of Spain. In addition, a border alert has been issued to prevent any potential escape abroad. As a result, security forces are no longer searching solely within Asturias, but are now also considering other regions of Spain as possible locations where the man might be hiding.
However, this expansion does not mean that the police assume “El Ruso” has already left Spain. Rather, the intention is to prevent the wanted man from evading the pressure of the manhunt by moving to a different location.
Police are now investigating potential accomplices
This development has also led to an expansion of the investigation into the circles around him. While the police initially appeared to assume that his escape was a rather spontaneous act, there are now indications that the individual in question may have prepared his flight more thoroughly than first thought.
For this reason, his family environment and circle of friends are being examined. Among other things, investigators are looking into whether he might have received assistance during his escape. Financial transactions and other leads regarding his contacts are also being investigated.
This marks an important shift from the early days of the manhunt: rather than focusing exclusively on finding a man who might be hiding somewhere in Oviedo, investigators are increasingly attempting to reconstruct his potential escape routes and identify those who may have assisted him.
Numerous tips from the public
The police have continued to call on the public for assistance. A photograph of the wanted man was circulated nationwide, prompting numerous tips. Several people reported possible sightings of the man – some even far outside of Oviedo. So far, however, none of the information provided has been sufficient to pinpoint his actual whereabouts.
In Oviedo, a man who bore a physical resemblance to the person being sought was even temporarily detained. However, he was released after it became clear that he was not “El Ruso.” Consequently, investigators are currently having to sift through a multitude of tips, none of which have yet yielded a solid lead.
His partner is free again
The investigation into the partner of the wanted individual has also taken a new turn. The woman, who was initially arrested following the events, was released without conditions after being questioned. The public prosecutor’s office did not request any further measures against her; consequently, she has neither been convicted as an accomplice nor subjected to any legal restrictions. At the same time, she remains of interest to investigators, as she is part of the fugitive’s immediate circle.
According to some reports, she had already told neighbors before the incident that she had perceived her partner as behaving in an unusual or conspicuous manner in the days leading up to it. Whether she was aware of his plans or might have assisted in his escape remains a subject of the ongoing investigation.
Wanted individual still considered dangerous
The police believe that the person being sought may be armed. The investigation mentions both a handgun and a long gun. The possibility that he could also be in possession of additional explosive materials has not been ruled out.
The public is therefore advised: should the man be spotted, do not attempt to approach or detain him yourself. Instead, the police urge that any information be reported directly to the security authorities.
Explosion and gunshots remain the starting point of the investigation
The large-scale manhunt stems from events that took place last Tuesday (November 10). On that occasion, the individual being sought allegedly shot a 17-year-old in the Villafría district and subsequently left a bag filled with explosive material at the entrance to a residential building.
In the ensuing explosion, police officer Juan José Rodríguez and his service dog, Deny, were killed. Another officer from the TEDAX unit was seriously injured. A funeral service has since been held for the fallen officer, who was posthumously awarded the Gold Medal for Police Merit. The injured TEDAX officer received the Silver Medal and remains under medical care.
No indications of an ETA connection
In connection with the case, claims have recently circulated regarding a possible link to the Basque terrorist organization ETA. According to the Policía Nacional and the Spanish Interior Ministry, there is no evidence to support this; both have explicitly refuted such claims.
Based on current findings, investigators believe the incident likely stems from a personal or neighborhood-related conflict. However, a definitive motive has yet to be established.
Residential buildings remain in the spotlight
The residential building on Calle Rafael Urrusti was inspected following the explosion. According to the Asturian authorities, no structural damage was found. The damage was concentrated in the entrance area and on the façade. Residents are, in principle, able to return to their apartments.
For the investigators, however, the location remains significant. Among other things, the police are attempting to reconstruct the precise sequence of events leading up to the explosion and to determine how the person being sought managed to escape following the attack.
A search with an uncertain outcome
Four days into the search, one thing has become clear: the swift arrest that was initially expected has not materialized. The dragnet around Oviedo remains in place, while at the same time, the police have significantly expanded the area where the fugitive might be located.
More than 300 emergency personnel continue to search for “El Ruso.” At the same time, authorities are investigating his associates, potential escape routes, and tips provided by the public. By extending the search nationwide across Spain and issuing a cross-border alert, authorities are responding to the fact that the man’s current whereabouts remain unknown.
For the investigators, the primary question now is whether “El Ruso” is still hiding somewhere in the Oviedo area or whether he has already managed to flee Asturias. As long as this remains unanswered, the manhunt will continue nationwide.
