A senior Russian military officer was killed on Monday after an explosive device detonated beneath his car in southern Moscow, Russian investigators said.
The Investigative Committee of Russia confirmed that the blast killed Fanil Sarvarov, a lieutenant general who headed the training department of the General Staff. Authorities have opened a murder investigation into the incident.
In a statement, investigators said they are examining several possible motives. They are investigating whether the attack had links to Ukrainian special forces. Officials stressed that the inquiry remains ongoing and has not reached formal conclusions.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow has accused Kyiv of involvement in multiple attacks against Russian military figures and pro-Kremlin personalities. Several high-profile killings have occurred inside Russia and in Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine.
CAR BLAST in Moscow LATEST:
– explosive device planted under the vehicle
– Russian Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov KILLED
– criminal case initiated
– Ukrainian special forces allegedly behind attack https://t.co/yzArIkoQJg pic.twitter.com/OGr1aFwG0P
— RT (@RT_com) December 22, 2025In April, a car bomb near Moscow killed Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy within the General Staff. In December 2024, an explosive device hidden in an electric scooter killed Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia’s radiological, chemical, and biological defence forces. Ukraine’s Security Service later claimed responsibility for that attack.
Earlier incidents include the April 2023 killing of military blogger Maxim Fomin, also known as Vladlen Tatarsky. He died when an explosive device concealed in a statuette detonated at a café in Saint Petersburg. In August 2022, a car bomb killed Daria Dugina, the daughter of ultranationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin.
Read: Russian General Yaroslav Moskalik Killed in Car Bomb Blast
The latest killing has intensified concerns about internal security in Russia as the war in Ukraine continues. Analysts say the growing number of targeted attacks highlights increasing vulnerabilities for senior officials. Moreover, it reflects the broader spillover of the conflict beyond the battlefield.
Russian authorities have not released details about arrests or suspects in the Sarvarov case. Investigators say they are examining surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and possible intelligence links as part of the probe.
