Car bomb in Moscow kills Russian general.
Moscow—In a dramatic escalation of violence, a car bomb claimed the life of a senior Russian general on Monday, marking the third such high-profile assassination of a military officer within a year. Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, who served as the head of the Operational Training Directorate for the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff, succumbed to injuries sustained in the explosion, as confirmed by Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for the Investigative Committee of Russia.
The incident occurred in southern Moscow, where authorities are investigating multiple lines of inquiry regarding the nature of the attack. Initial reports suggest a possible connection to Ukrainian intelligence operatives. Investigators noted ongoing scrutiny into the circumstances surrounding the bombing, with particular attention on Ukraine’s involvement. However, there has been no official comment from Ukrainian officials regarding this tragic event.
Since the onset of the conflict that began nearly four years ago with Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine, Russian officials have frequently accused Ukrainian forces of orchestrating various assassinations targeting military and public figures on Russian soil. Some of these incidents have been claimed by Ukraine, although as of now, there has been no acknowledgment concerning the death of Lt. Gen. Sarvarov.
In reaction to the incident, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov disclosed that President Vladimir Putin was informed immediately following the attack. The Russian Defense Ministry highlighted Sarvarov’s prior military experience, which included participation in the conflicts in Chechnya and Syria.
The recent killing of Sarvarov is not an isolated incident. In the past year, two other senior officers have also been assassinated under similar circumstances. Just over a year ago, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the commander of Russia’s nuclear, biological, and chemical protection forces, was killed by a bomb concealed on an electric scooter. Following that incident, an Uzbek national was arrested and accused of conducting the assassination on behalf of Ukrainian intelligence. In April, Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, another high-ranking officer, was killed by an explosive device planted in his vehicle near his home, prompting swift arrests.
The trend of targeting key military figures reflects a broader pattern of escalating tensions and violent confrontations in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Following the assassination of Moskalik, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged reports of efforts to eliminate prominent Russian military leaders, indicating a strategic focus on disrupting the command structure of Russian forces. This development underscores the complex and volatile dynamics shaping the current geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe.
