A senior Russian military officer, Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, was killed in a car bombing in Moscow on Monday, with Russian authorities suggesting Ukrainian intelligence may be behind the attack. The incident underscores the ongoing covert warfare within Russia amid the prolonged conflict in Ukraine.
The explosion occurred around 7 a.m. on Yaseneva Street in southern Moscow, detonating an explosive device planted under Sarvarov’s car. He was driving when the blast happened, and the vehicle traveled several meters before stopping. Sarvarov, 56, died from his injuries in a hospital shortly after the attack, with Russia’s Investigative Committee opening a murder investigation.
Sarvarov served as the head of the operational training directorate of the Russian armed forces’ general staff, responsible for combat readiness and training, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine. With a career spanning decades, he participated in the Chechen wars and played a key role in Russia’s military intervention in Syria from 2015 to 2016, according to reports from Russian media.
Investigators are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry, with one theory focusing on the involvement of Ukrainian intelligence services. A spokesperson for the Investigative Committee stated that the crime might have been orchestrated by Ukraine, though Kyiv has not commented officially. Images from the scene show a severely damaged white car in a parking lot, with forensic teams examining the area.
In response to the attack, some Russian officials have called for harsh measures. Andrei Kolesnik, a member of the Duma’s defence committee, advocated for identifying and eliminating those responsible without taking prisoners, treating them as terrorists. The Kremlin is expected to comment formally, but initial reactions highlight the tension and desire for retribution.
This attack is part of a pattern of targeted killings of Russian military figures since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. In April 2025, General Yaroslav Moskalik was killed in a similar car bomb attack, and in December 2024, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov died from a bomb hidden in an electric scooter. Ukrainian sources have previously claimed responsibility for some attacks, though Ukraine maintains a policy of not officially admitting involvement.
The assassination comes amid ongoing peace talks between Ukrainian and U.S. officials in Florida, with separate discussions involving Russia. The high-profile nature of Sarvarov’s killing could complicate diplomatic efforts, as it reflects the persistent hostilities and Ukraine’s strategy to undermine Russian military leadership. Last year, U.S. representative Keith Kellogg criticized such killings for potentially violating rules of warfare.
Looking ahead, the incident may prompt increased security measures for Russian officials and could influence the dynamics of the war. With Ukraine continuing to target senior figures and Russia vowing to respond, the covert conflict within Russia’s borders is likely to intensify, adding another layer of complexity to the already protracted war and ongoing negotiations.
