Planted Car Bomb Kills Russian General In Moscow, Ukrainian Forces Suspected

On December 22, 2025, Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, the chief of the Operational Training Directorate and a top Russian military leader, was killed in a targeted car bombing on Yasenevaya Street in southern Moscow while on his way to work. Sarvarov was instantaneously killed by the explosion, thus Russia's Investigative Committee initiated a murder probe, alleging Ukrainian intelligence or special forces. This is consistent with a string of high-profile murders after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, such as the vehicle bombing of Daria Dugina in 2022, the scooter bombing of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov in 2024 (claimed by Ukraine's SBU), and the cafe bombing of pro-war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky. 
 

With Ukraine displaying deep-strike capabilities within Russia to target war architects, the attack underscores the escalating shadow war. While officials examine surveillance and forensics, no group has claimed responsibility, and the Kremlin has not replied beyond the probe. The event raises security concerns for Russian leadership and might intensify charges against Kyiv amid stalled peace talks, even though Sarvarov is the only casualty.