**Russian General Killed in Car Explosion**
A high-ranking Russian general was killed in an explosion in Moscow, according to reports from the Investigative Committee of Russia. The victim was identified as Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, who served as the deputy chief of the main operations directorate of Russia’s army.
The incident occurred on April 25 when a car exploded in the yard of a residential building in Balashikha, Moscow Oblast. Russian state media reported that one person was killed in the explosion, which is believed to have been caused by a homemade explosive device.
This is not the first time a high-ranking Russian official has been targeted in such an attack. In December 2024, Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia’s radiation, chemical, and biological defense troops, was killed in an explosion at his residence in Moscow. Ukraine has previously claimed responsibility for such attacks, targeting officials who play key roles in Russia’s full-scale invasion.
**Connections to Ukraine**
Moskalik was involved in high-level talks with Ukrainian officials in the past, including the 2015 Normandy Format talks aimed at resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine. He also attended a meeting of the Normandy Four in 2019 and had talks with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad a year earlier.
While Ukraine has not commented on the recent car bombing, it is clear that Moskalik’s involvement in these high-level talks makes him a significant target for those seeking to disrupt Russia’s war efforts.
**Pattern of Attacks**
The killing of Moskalik follows a pattern of attacks targeting Russian officials involved in the conflict. In December 2024, Mikhail Shatsky, a Russian expert who worked on modernizing missiles launched against Ukraine, was shot dead near Moscow. A month earlier, Aleksey Kolomeitsev, a Russian colonel who trained specialists in the use of attack drones, was killed in the city of Kolomna.
These incidents highlight the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides engaging in targeted attacks on key officials. The Investigative Committee of Russia has opened a criminal case into Moskalik’s death, but it remains unclear whether Ukraine will comment on its involvement in the attack.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
