An explosive device ripped through a parked car near Moscow on Friday, killing a senior Russian general, investigators reported. The attack reportedly resembles previous killings claimed by Ukraine.
The victim was identified as General-lieutenant Yaroslav Moskalik, the deputy head of the main operational directorate of the military’s General Staff, which oversees army operations. Authorities indicated that this attack could be part of a wider trend of targeted assassinations of military figures and others who support the Kremlin’s ongoing military efforts.
Following the explosion, which occurred outside a block of flats in the town of Balashikha, east of Moscow, Russia’s Investigative Committee announced it had opened a murder probe. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova labeled the incident a terrorist attack, a claim that investigators have yet to confirm.
Sergei Menyailo, leader of Russia’s North Osetia region, suggested that Ukraine could be behind the killing, stating, “People like Yaroslav stick in the enemy’s craw.” Locals reported hearing a loud blast around 10:45 am (0745 GMT), describing it as exceptionally strong.
Reports indicate that the killing mirrored previous attacks attributed to Ukrainian forces. For instance, Ukraine’s secret services claimed responsibility last December for the assassination of General Igor Kirillov, who had headed the military’s chemical weapons division, using a remotely operated bomb.
The Investigative Committee released security footage showing a massive explosion that occurred just as someone approached the car containing the explosive device. Investigators concluded that it was an improvised explosive device packed with metal fragments to maximize harm.
Additional reports from Russian Telegram channels suggested that the Volkswagen Golf involved had been purchased a few months earlier by an individual from the Ukrainian city of Sumy and had been equipped with explosives and a camera to carry out the attack.
General Yaroslav Moskalik was 59 years old and had represented the Russian military during ceasefire talks with Ukraine back in 2015, in the context of conflicts involving Russian-backed separatists. He was promoted to the rank of general-lieutenant by President Vladimir Putin in 2021.
A notable mention is the recent trend of attacks targeting individuals associated with Moscow’s military offensive in Ukraine, including the August 2022 car bombing of nationalist Darya Dugina and the April 2023 explosion in a Saint Petersburg cafe that killed military correspondent Maxim Fomin, also known as Vladlen Tatarsky. Kyiv has occasionally claimed responsibility for similar attacks but has remained silent regarding this latest incident. Following the assassination of Kirillov, President Putin acknowledged failures by security agencies, urging that such “very serious blunders” should not happen again.
