Top Russian General Killed in Moscow Car Explosion; Security Agencies Probe Possible Ukraine Link

Moscow: Russian security agencies are investigating multiple theories, including the possible involvement of Ukrainian intelligence services, following the killing of Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov in a car explosion in Moscow on Monday.

Sarvarov, who headed the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff, succumbed to his injuries after an explosive device planted beneath a vehicle was detonated on Yasenevaya Street in southern Moscow earlier in the day, according to local media reports.

Russia’s leading news agency Tass reported that several lines of inquiry are being examined, with one theory pointing to Ukrainian intelligence involvement. The Moscow Prosecutor’s Office is overseeing the probe into the incident, while investigators and forensic experts from the Investigative Committee are working at the blast site. Multiple examinations, including forensic and explosive analyses, are underway. Investigators are also questioning witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage. The case has been placed under the supervision of the central office of the Investigative Committee.

Sarvarov had led the Operational Training Department since 2016 and was a highly decorated officer. His awards included the Order of Courage, the Suvorov Medal, and the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, First and Second Class.

Earlier in his career, Sarvarov participated in combat operations during the Ossetian-Ingush conflict and counter-terrorism operations in Chechnya, and also carried out missions in Syria.

The incident follows a similar high-profile killing last year, when Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia’s Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence Forces, was killed in a bomb blast in southeastern Moscow. Senior Russian officials had blamed Ukraine for that attack.

Kirillov and his aide were killed when an explosion occurred outside a residential building on Ryazansky Avenue as they were leaving to board an official vehicle. Russian investigators said an improvised explosive device containing TNT was likely attached to an electric scooter near the building’s entrance and was probably detonated remotely using a radio signal or mobile phone.

—With inputs from IANS