A senior Russian military officer was killed early Friday in a car explosion in the city of Balashikha, located just east of Moscow. Authorities identified the victim as Yaroslav Moskalik, who served as deputy head of operations for the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.
Investigators said the blast was triggered by a homemade explosive device packed with shrapnel, planted in a Volkswagen Golf. The Russian Investigative Committee has launched a criminal case and dispatched a team of forensic experts and law enforcement to the scene to begin collecting evidence.
Moskalik’s death marks a rare and serious breach of security so close to the capital. Balashikha, known for its military presence, lies less than 20 miles from central Moscow, raising concerns about internal threats or targeted attacks against high-ranking officials.
The car bombing came shortly after a separate explosion earlier this week that sparked a fire at an underground parking garage in Moscow’s business district. While no official connection between the two incidents has been established, the timing has added to public unease.
The Investigative Committee has not released further details about possible suspects or motives but has confirmed that the device was homemade. Authorities are continuing their search for those responsible.
Events like this are unusual in areas near Moscow, and the death of a senior military figure in such a targeted attack is likely to spark increased security measures and further investigations in the coming days.