Russian General Killed by Car Bomb in Balashikha Near Moscow

BALASHIKHA, Russia — Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, a senior Russian military official, was killed Friday when an explosive device detonated in his vehicle in Balashikha, a city on the outskirts of Moscow. The incident occurred as he left his home in the morning.

The Russian Investigative Committee confirmed that the blast was caused by a remotely detonated car bomb. According to spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko, the bomb was filled with shrapnel and caused significant destruction to the vehicle.

“Investigators are currently examining the scene,” she stated. “This was a heinous act that could be classified as murder.”

The blast came just hours before a scheduled meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Steve Witkoff, a special envoy from the U.S. The timing of the incident raised concerns about its potential impact on ongoing negotiations regarding the conflict in Ukraine.

Local media reports indicated that Moskalik was the deputy head of the main operations directorate of the Russian Armed Forces. He has previously represented Russia in talks with Ukraine.

The attack was reminiscent of another incident in December 2024, when another high-ranking Russian general was killed in a similar manner. Ukrainian officials have not confirmed involvement in the latest bombing, though they have been accused of targeting Russian military leaders.

Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for Russia’s foreign ministry, characterized the incident as a “terrorist attack” and condemned the attack on the senior officer. The investigation into the incident continues, and no suspects have been named as of yet.

The occurrence of such targeted attacks against military figures in Moscow is rare, and authorities are under pressure to find those responsible.