A Russian general has been killed in a car bombing in Moscow, officials have said. Russia's Investigative Committee reported that Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov died on Monday morning after an explosive device was placed under his vehicle. Sarvarov was the head of the armed forces' operational training department and is the third military official to be targeted in a bombing within the past year.
The investigative committee has opened a murder case and is exploring multiple theories, one of which suggests potential involvement from Ukrainian intelligence, although Ukraine has not commented on the matter. Sarvarov succumbed to his injuries after being hospitalized.
The bombing took place in a car park near a residential area in south Moscow, with images showing a destroyed Kia Sorento surrounded by debris from the blast.
Sarvarov, aged 56, had a notable military career, including participation in past conflicts in the region, such as the Ossetian-Ingush conflict and the Chechen wars, as well as leading operations in Syria. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed President Putin was notified of Sarvarov's death immediately.
The rise in targeted attacks on military personnel in the capital has been alarming since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. High-profile incidents have included the deaths of individuals connected to military operations within the country, including that of Darya Dugina, the daughter of a strong nationalist figure, and two other generals in recent years. Notably, investigations into these incidents have often led back to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
The investigative committee has opened a murder case and is exploring multiple theories, one of which suggests potential involvement from Ukrainian intelligence, although Ukraine has not commented on the matter. Sarvarov succumbed to his injuries after being hospitalized.
The bombing took place in a car park near a residential area in south Moscow, with images showing a destroyed Kia Sorento surrounded by debris from the blast.
Sarvarov, aged 56, had a notable military career, including participation in past conflicts in the region, such as the Ossetian-Ingush conflict and the Chechen wars, as well as leading operations in Syria. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed President Putin was notified of Sarvarov's death immediately.
The rise in targeted attacks on military personnel in the capital has been alarming since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. High-profile incidents have included the deaths of individuals connected to military operations within the country, including that of Darya Dugina, the daughter of a strong nationalist figure, and two other generals in recent years. Notably, investigations into these incidents have often led back to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
