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Explosive Device Kills Senior Russian General Near Moscow, Murder Probe Launched
A powerful explosion in Balashikha, near Moscow, kills General Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of Russia’s military operations. Investigators probe murder & explosives smuggling.
ND
by News Desk
2025-04-25
Explosive Device Kills Senior Russian General Near Moscow, Murder Probe Launched

An explosive device caused a deadly blast in a parked car near Moscow on Friday, killing General-lieutenant Yaroslav Moskalik, a senior Russian military officer. The explosion, which took place outside a block of flats in Balashikha, east of Moscow, has led authorities to open a murder investigation and probe potential explosives smuggling.

General Moskalik, who served as the deputy head of the main operational directorate of the Russian military’s General Staff, was identified as the victim. Security footage shared by local media showed a massive explosion that sent debris flying into the air, followed by a blaze that gutted the car. Investigators have determined that the device, an improvised explosive packed with metal fragments, was designed to maximize harm.

Images from the scene show a charred Volkswagen Golf, though sources suggest that the car was not registered to Moskalik, despite reports that he lived in Balashikha. The explosion has drawn parallels to previous attacks on Russians linked to Moscow's military operations in Ukraine, with some suggesting that this may be another case of targeted violence related to the ongoing conflict.

In 2015, Moskalik represented Russia in the "Normandy format" talks aimed at addressing the crisis in Ukraine. In recognition of his service, he was promoted to general-lieutenant by President Vladimir Putin in 2021. However, this latest attack raises further concerns about the safety of Russian officials involved in military and diplomatic efforts related to the war in Ukraine.

While the Ukrainian government has not officially commented on this particular incident, similar attacks in the past have been attributed to Ukrainian operatives, including the car bombing of nationalist Darya Dugina in 2022 and the assassination of military correspondent Maxim Fomin in April 2023. Following the killing of another prominent Russian figure, Igor Kirillov, in December 2023, President Putin admitted to significant intelligence failures, stressing the need for improved security.

The investigation into the death of Moskalik continues, as authorities work to determine the full scope of the plot behind the attack.
Tagged:

Russia

Explosion

MurderInvestigation

GeneralMoskalik

Balashikha
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