Three individuals, including two police officers, lost their lives in a tragic explosion in Moscow on Wednesday, according to Russian officials. This incident occurred just days after a car bomb claimed the life of Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, a high-ranking military official, in the same vicinity.
The two traffic police officers were approaching a “suspicious individual” when the explosive device detonated, as detailed by Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for the Investigative Committee. The explosion also resulted in the death of a nearby civilian. Investigators and forensic experts are currently examining the scene to gather more information.
This explosion took place in southern Moscow, close to where Lt. Gen. Sarvarov was killed on Monday, March 11, 2024. The general, who headed the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff, was targeted when an explosive device detonated under his vehicle. Russian investigators have suggested that Ukrainian forces may be linked to this attack, marking it as the third assassination of a senior military officer in a little over a year.
On December 17, 2024, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, who led the military’s nuclear, biological, and chemical protection forces, was killed by a bomb concealed on an electric scooter outside his apartment building. His assistant also lost their life in that attack. Following this incident, an Uzbek man was arrested and charged with the assassination, allegedly acting on behalf of the Ukrainian security service.
In April 2023, another senior military officer, Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, was killed when an explosive device detonated in his car, parked near his residence just outside Moscow. Authorities arrested a suspect shortly thereafter.
Since the commencement of military operations in Ukraine nearly four years ago, Russian officials have attributed several assassinations of military personnel and public figures to Ukrainian forces. While Ukraine has claimed responsibility for some of these incidents, the ongoing conflict continues to escalate tensions between the two nations.
The recent explosion highlights the precarious security situation in Moscow, raising concerns about the safety of officials amid ongoing hostilities. As investigations continue, the impact of these targeted attacks resonates deeply within Russia’s military and political landscape.
