A senior Russian military official was killed early Monday morning, December 22, 2025, in a targeted car bombing in southern Moscow. The victim has been identified as Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, a high-ranking officer who served as the Head of the Operational Training Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.
The attack represents one of the most significant security breaches in the Russian capital since the start of the conflict in Ukraine nearly four years ago.
Details of the Attack
The explosion occurred at approximately 7:00 AM local time on Yasenevaya Street in the southern district of Moscow. According to Russia’s Investigative Committee:
* The Device: An improvised explosive device (IED) was planted under the chassis of Sarvarov’s vehicle, a white Kia Sorento.
* The Detonation: The bomb was triggered shortly after the General began driving. The vehicle reportedly traveled several meters before the blast decimated the car.
* The Outcome: General Sarvarov, 56, was rushed to a hospital with severe injuries but later died. No other casualties were immediately reported, though several nearby vehicles were damaged.
The Victim: Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov
Sarvarov was a career military officer with a distinguished record in Russia’s modern conflicts:
* Role: As head of operational training, he was responsible for the combat readiness and staff exercises of the entire Russian military.
* Past Service: He was a veteran of both Chechen Wars and played a pivotal role in planning and executing military operations during Russia’s 2015–2016 intervention in Syria.
* Decorations: He held the Order of Courage and the Order of Merit to the Fatherland.
Investigation and Political Fallout
The Russian Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case for “murder committed in a socially dangerous manner.” Officials have stated that a primary line of inquiry is that the assassination was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services.>
“Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of enquiry… One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services.” — Svetlana Petrenko, Spokesperson for the Investigative Committee.
While Ukraine has not officially commented on this specific incident, the attack follows a pattern of high-profile assassinations within Russia over the past year, including the deaths of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov (December 2024) and Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik (April 2025).
Global Context
The assassination comes at a particularly sensitive time, as U.S. and Russian negotiators are currently engaged in high-stakes peace talks in Miami and Berlin. While Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that President Vladimir Putin has been briefed, it remains unclear if this escalation will stall the ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war.