A car explosion in southern Moscow on Monday claimed the life of Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, a top official in Russia’s military leadership. The blast took place in a parking lot next to a residential building, according to Russian media reports. Sarvarov, who led the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff, was critically injured and later died from his wounds, the Investigative Committee confirmed.
Investigation Launched
Authorities quickly opened a criminal case into Sarvarov’s death, though the motive for the attack remains unclear. Officials said the investigation is focused on determining how the explosive device was placed and detonated. The committee described the killing as a targeted attack and confirmed that the inquiry is ongoing, with investigators working to piece together the events leading up to the explosion.
Exploring Foreign Involvement
Russian authorities are considering multiple angles in the investigation, including potential involvement by Ukrainian intelligence. “Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of enquiry regarding the murder. One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services,” said Investigative Committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko. She added that forensic and explosives experts have been assigned to the case, witnesses are being questioned, and surveillance footage is being analyzed.
No Comment From Kyiv
Ukrainian officials have not responded to the claims, and Russian authorities have not publicly identified any suspects or presented evidence linking the attack to foreign actors.
Pattern of Targeted Attacks
Sarvarov’s death follows a series of high-profile attacks on senior Russian military figures in Moscow since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. In December 2024, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov was killed by a remotely detonated scooter, while Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik died in April in a car bomb attack. Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility for either incident.
