A Russian general was reportedly killed in a car bombing outside Moscow, according to the Investigative Committee of Russia. Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, who served as the deputy head of the main operational department in the Russian armed forces, died when an explosive device detonated in his vehicle in Balashikha.
The bomb was reportedly rigged with shrapnel, and the identity of the attacker remains unknown. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova described the incident as a “terror attack.”
This bombing occurs amidst heightened tensions, particularly as White House envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow for discussions with President Vladimir Putin aimed at negotiating an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The explosion involved a Volkswagen Golf, which was left burned outside an apartment building after the attack.
The killing of Moskalik follows the earlier assassination of another Russian general, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, who died in December 2023 when a bomb hidden on an electric scooter exploded as he left his home.
Russia accused Ukraine of orchestrating that attack, which Ukraine’s security agency later confirmed.
The explosive used in Kirillov’s assassination was reported to have a force equivalent to approximately 300 grams of TNT.
Kirillov had been charged by Ukraine with utilizing banned chemical weapons in the conflict, and he faced international sanctions due to his actions during the war.
The recent bombing highlights the ongoing volatility in Russia, particularly in light of the war in Ukraine and the increasing risks faced by military leaders.
Investigators continue to look into the circumstances surrounding Moskalik’s death as tensions remain high between Russia and Ukraine.
[READ MORE: U.S. Offers Major Olive Branch in Iran Talks]
