What’s going on
- Russian investigators said Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov was killed when an explosive device detonated under his car in Moscow.
- Authorities said the device was placed beneath the vehicle and detonated as Sarvarov used it. Investigators opened a criminal case and began forensic work at the scene.
- Russia's Investigative Committee led the initial response. Law enforcement officials said they were working to identify who planted the bomb and how it was triggered.
- Russian officials suggested Ukraine may have been involved. No public evidence was released to support the claim, and Ukraine did not immediately confirm involvement.
- The killing would be the third reported death of a senior Russian officer in about a year. Russian authorities have described previous cases as targeted attacks.
- The incident comes as Russia continues its full-scale war in Ukraine. Both countries have accused each other of sabotage and assassination attempts linked to the conflict.
Why it matters
- An attack in Moscow shows the war's violence can reach deep inside Russia. That could prompt authorities to tighten domestic security and expand counterintelligence operations.
- It also increases pressure on Russia's military and security leadership to prevent further attacks. Public claims of Ukrainian involvement can fuel calls for retaliation or expanded operations.