A black BMW 7-Series that belonged to Russia’s Federation Council and driven by one of Vladimir Putin’s official drivers was involved in a head-on collision in Moscow with a Mercedes CLS, killing the presidential driver instantly and sending the Mercedes driver to hospital in critical condition.

Russian media report that Putin’s official car was driven by the president’s favorite driver. Vladimir Putin was not in the car during the accident.

CCTV footage taken on the Kutuzovsky Avenue reveals that the Mercedes CLS driver somehow lost control of the vehicle, crossing over from the opposite side of the road where it collided with the presidential BMW 7-Series at high-speed.

Putin’s driver was killed on the spot, according to medics arrived at the scene. Russian authorities haven’t named the victim, although it’s reported that he had more than 40 years of driving experience as an official driver.

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