A high-ranking Russian military official was killed in a car bombing in southern Moscow this morning, according to Russian state investigators, in what officials are suggesting may be a targeted assassination organised by Ukrainian intelligence.
In a statement this morning, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, the country’s main federal investigating body, identified the officer as Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, the head of the operational training department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.
The blast occurred on Yaseneva Street during the Monday morning commute. According to preliminary reports from the scene, an improvised explosive device (IED) had been planted on the underside of Sarvarov’s vehicle. The device detonated while the car was in motion, causing fatal injuries to the general.
The Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case under two primary charges: namely, “Murder committed in a manner dangerous to the public”, and “Illegal trafficking of explosives.”
Forensic teams and explosives experts from the central office of the Investigative Committee have been deployed to the site to assist local Moscow authorities.
“The inspection of the scene continues,” the Committee said in an official statement.
“Investigators are ordering forensic and explosives examinations, questioning witnesses, and reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area.”
While the investigation is reportedly pursuing “various versions” of the potential motive, officials have publicly highlighted the possibility of Ukrainian involvement.
“One of the versions being considered is the organization of the crime by the Ukrainian special services,” the statement added.
The killing of Lieutenant General Sarvarov is the latest in a series of high-profile assassinations within Russia since the start of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022. In April 2025, General Yaroslav Moskalik also died when a bomb stuffed with pellets went off, detonating a car in the Russian capital of Moscow.
The Ukrainian government has not officially commented or claimed responsibility for the incident.
The assassination follows a wave of overnight Russian strikes against Ukraine, involving nearly 100 drones and a missile, which left 4 people dead and 19 wounded.
While Kiev reported intercepting 75 of the drones, the surge in violence comes at a sensitive diplomatic moment, as American and Russian officials continue high-level peace negotiations in Miami.