MOSCOW — A Russian general has fallen victim to a car bomb on Friday, as reported by Russia’s primary criminal investigative body, and this marks the second high-ranking Russian military official targeted in such a manner within a four-month span, with Moscow attributing the attack to Ukraine.
The Investigative Committee revealed that Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, functioning as a deputy head of the main operational department of the General Staff within the Russian Armed Forces, perished due to an explosive device installed in his vehicle located in Balashikha, a suburb near Moscow’s bustling capital. Spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko conveyed that the device was crafted with shrapnel, and investigators were actively examining the site.
In the aftermath, Russian media distributed footage capturing a car engulfed in flames within the confines of an apartment building’s courtyard. While the committee refrained from naming any immediate suspects, Maria Zakharova, representing the Russian Foreign Ministry, proclaimed, absent of substantiating evidence, that Ukrainian special services might be implicated in orchestrating the murder.
In Kyiv, officials remained silent regarding the incident. Zakharova elaborated, “Should the investigation substantiate Ukrainian involvement in this case, it will portray to the global community the ruthless and deceptive conduct of the Kyiv regime, which is concentrated on exacerbating military disputes with Russia while negligently dismissing pragmatic measures designed to secure a peaceful resolution to the conflict.”
Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov mirrored these assertions in a conversation with Russian state television journalist Pavel Zarubin, emphasizing on Friday that Kyiv “persists in being tied to terrorist acts on our territory,” yet, like Zakharova, he offered no tangible proof.
This bombing follows the December 2024 assassination of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, who encountered death when a bomb cunningly concealed on an electric scooter detonated outside his residence as he was headed to his workplace. Russian officials held Ukraine accountable, and Ukraine’s security agency admitted its role in the attack.
Lt. Gen. Kirillov held a pivotal position leading Russia’s Radiation, Biological, and Chemical Protection Forces, specialized units designated to defend the military from nuclear, chemical, and biological threats, and ensuring operational efficacy amid contaminated settings. The explosion also claimed the life of Kirillov’s aide.
This alarming incident coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, visiting Moscow for discussions with President Vladimir Putin concerning an American-mediated peace proposal for Ukraine. This meeting signified their fourth dialogue since February.