Deadly Explosion in the Capital Russian investigators are examining a car explosion that killed Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov in Moscow on Monday morning. The blast took place in the south of the capital, in a parking area next to a residential building, according to Russian media reports. Sarvarov, who headed the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff, sustained fatal injuries and later died, the Investigative Committee confirmed.
Criminal Case Opened The Investigative Committee said it has opened a criminal case into Sarvarov’s death and is working to establish the motive behind the attack, which remains unclear. Authorities have not released details about how the explosive device was planted or detonated, but confirmed that the case is being treated as a targeted killing.
Focus of the Investigation Investigators are exploring several possible explanations, including the involvement of Ukrainian intelligence services. “Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of enquiry regarding the murder. One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services,” Investigative Committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko said. She added, “The investigation will appoint the necessary examinations, including forensic and explosives. Witnesses and eyewitnesses are being interrogated, and surveillance cameras are being examined.”
No Response From Kyiv Ukrainian authorities have not commented on the accusations. Russian officials have also refrained from naming any suspects while the investigation continues.
Part of a Broader Trend The killing follows a series of deadly attacks on senior Russian military figures in Moscow since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov was killed in December 2024 by a remotely detonated scooter, and Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik died in April after a car bomb exploded. Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility for either incident.
