MOSCOW — A prominent Russian general was killed Monday morning when an explosive device detonated beneath his vehicle, marking the third assassination of a senior military official in the Russian capital within a single year.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Victim: Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov
The deceased has been identified as Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, who served as the head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff. According to Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for Russia’s Investigative Committee, Sarvarov succumbed to injuries sustained in the blast.
Investigation and Suspects
Russian authorities have launched a high-priority criminal investigation. While several leads are being followed, the primary theory involves foreign interference:
- The Ukraine Connection: Investigators are probing whether the hit was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services.
- A Growing Trend: This is the third successful hit on a general-rank officer in Moscow since late 2024, highlighting a significant security gap.
A Timeline of Targeted Assassinations (2024–2025)
The killing of Gen. Sarvarov follows two other high-profile attacks on top military brass:
- December 17, 2024: Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov (Chief of Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection) was killed by a bomb concealed on an electric scooter. An Uzbek national was later arrested for the act, which was claimed by Ukrainian security services.
- April 2025: Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik (Deputy Head of the Main Operational Department) died after a bomb exploded in his car near his home.
- December 22, 2025: Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov killed in today’s car bombing.
Security Failures
Despite President Vladimir Putin previously labeling these security lapses as “major blunders” and demanding improved efficiency from the nation’s intelligence agencies, the ability of attackers to target the General Staff’s inner circle remains a critical vulnerability for the Kremlin.
