A car bomb exploded on Monday, killing Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, the third senior Russian officer to die in a vehicle-borne attack in just over a year.
Investigation and Allegations
Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for Russia’s Investigative Committee, said investigators are pursuing “numerous lines of inquiry regarding the murder. One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services,”.
The committee’s statement follows a pattern of recent killings that the Kremlin has blamed on Ukraine. Sarvarov, 56, had fought in Chechnya and participated in Russia’s military campaign in Syria.
Kremlin Reaction
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that President Vladimir Putin had been immediately informed of the incident. Putin later described the killing of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, a year earlier, as a “major blunder” by Russia’s security agencies.
Previous Similar Attacks
In late 2023, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, head of the military’s nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed by a bomb hidden on an electric scooter outside his apartment building. Kirillov’s assistant also died, and Ukraine’s security service claimed responsibility.
An Uzbek man was arrested and charged with killing Kirillov on behalf of the Ukrainian security service.
In April, Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of the main operational department in the General Staff, was killed by an explosive device placed in his car near his apartment building just outside Moscow. A suspected perpetrator was quickly arrested.
Ukrainian Leadership Comments
Days after Moskalik’s killing, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he received a report from the head of Ukraine’s foreign intelligence agency on the “liquidation” of top Russian military figures, adding that “justice inevitably comes” even though he did not name Moskalik.
Broader Context of Ukrainian Operations
Ukraine has repeatedly sought to alter the conflict’s dynamics through unexpected actions. In August last year, Ukrainian forces staged a surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, diverting Russian troops from other fronts.
The country has also launched repeated attacks on the Russian navy in the Black Sea with sea drones and missiles, forcing the navy to relocate warships and limit operational scope.
In June, swarms of drones launched from trucks targeted bomber bases across Russia. Ukraine claimed over 40 long-range bombers were damaged or destroyed, while Moscow reported only a few planes were struck.
Western Accusations and Russian Denials
Western officials have accused Russia of staging a campaign of sabotage across Europe, claiming the country orchestrated dozens of disruptive incidents to undermine support for Ukraine. Moscow has denied these allegations.
Key Takeaways
- Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, 56, died in a car bomb, the third senior officer death in a year.
- Investigators suspect Ukrainian intelligence services orchestrated the attack.
- Previous killings of senior officers, including Kirillov and Moskalik, have also been linked to Ukraine.
The incident underscores the escalating risk to high-ranking Russian military personnel amid ongoing tensions with Ukraine.
