A high-ranking Russian general, Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, was killed in a car bombing in Moscow on Monday morning, leading Russian officials to suspect Ukrainian involvement in the assassination. Sarvarov, who was 56 and had held the position of head of the armed forces operational training department for nine years, died when an explosive device planted under his vehicle detonated, according to a statement from Russia’s investigative committee.
Investigators have indicated that they are exploring multiple motives for the attack, with one theory suggesting it was orchestrated by Ukrainian special services. Russian President Vladimir Putin was promptly informed about the incident through channels from the country’s security services.
This marked the latest in a series of assassinations of senior Russian military officers linked to Ukraine since the onset of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Video footage aired by Russian state media showed the aftermath of the explosion, revealing a damaged vehicle situated in a suburban parking area of Moscow.
Sarvarov was noted for his prior involvement in organizing and conducting operations during the Syrian civil war, supporting the Assad regime, as reported by state news agency TASS.
Other senior Russian military personnel have also been targets, including Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, who was killed in a similar car bombing incident near Moscow in April, and Igor Kirillov, a general responsible for nuclear and chemical defense, who was killed by an explosive device last year.
The ongoing violence and targeted killings underscore the rising tension in the region and the fraught relationship between Russia and Ukraine, which continues to shape the security landscape in both nations. As events unfold, the implications of such targeted actions highlight the growing stakes involved in the conflict.