Tabloids Revisit 2009 Ukraine Case of Chewing Gum Explosion That Killed Student

Overview

• Vladimir Likhonos, 25, died in 2009 after reportedly mistaking a highly explosive powder for citric acid he used to coat chewing gum.
• Police spokeswoman Elvira Biganova said about 100 grams of suspected explosive was found at the workstation and described it as nearly indistinguishable from citric acid.
• A bomb disposal unit was called after specialists deemed the substance too hazardous to move.
• Assistant police officer Tatyana Kushnerova told reporters investigators believed the blast caused immediate, fatal injuries.
• Key details remain disputed, including whether the incident occurred at a university or at home and whether Likhonos was still a student, and claims the powder was up to four times stronger than TNT are unverified.