Investigators say the possibility that the attack is linked to Ukrainian special forces is one line of inquiry.
Published On 22 Dec 2025
A car bomb blast has killed a senior Russian general in southern Moscow, investigators say.
Russia’s Investigative Committee reported on Monday that it had opened an investigation into the “murder” of Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, head of the training department within the general staff. Officials said the potential involvement of Ukrainian special forces is among the issues being investigated.
An explosive device detonated underneath Sarvarov’s car in the south of the Russian capital, the investigators responsible for examining serious crimes said. He died in hospital as a result of his injuries, they said.
Russian news outlets reported that the white vehicle exploded in a car park on Yasenevaya Street, with the driver inside, at approximately 7am Moscow time (04: 00 GMT).
Images from the scene showed a badly damaged car. Officials said investigators and forensics teams were on site.
“An explosive device was activated on Yasenevaya Street in Moscow. Fanil Sarvarov, head of the general staff’s operational training directorate, has died of injuries from the explosion,” Investigative Committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko said, according to Russia’s state news agency TASS.
Ukrainian involvement?
Petrenko said Moscow’s main investigative directorate had opened a criminal case under Part 2 of Article 105 of the Russian Criminal Code, which covers murder committed in a socially dangerous manne