A car bomb in Moscow has killed Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, marking the third assassination of a senior Russian military officer within just over a year. The attack occurred on December 22, 2025, when an explosive device detonated beneath Sarvarov’s vehicle. He was the head of the Operational Training Directorate for the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff and succumbed to his injuries shortly after the explosion, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee.
Investigators are exploring multiple leads in their investigation, including a theory that Ukrainian intelligence services orchestrated the attack. An official from the Investigative Committee stated, “Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of inquiry regarding the murder,” emphasizing the focus on potential links to Ukraine. Images released show a white vehicle in a Moscow parking lot severely damaged, with blood evident in the driver’s seat.
Sarvarov’s department plays a crucial role in planning military operations and ensuring the readiness of the Russian army. The SBU, Ukraine’s domestic security agency, and its military intelligence, the GUR, have not commented on the incident as of yet.
Since the beginning of the conflict with Ukraine nearly four years ago, Russian authorities have attributed several high-profile assassinations of military leaders and public figures to Ukrainian operatives. While Ukraine has claimed responsibility for some attacks, it has not yet issued a statement regarding Sarvarov’s death.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that President Vladimir Putin was informed of Sarvarov’s assassination. Sarvarov had previously served in conflicts such as the Chechen wars and participated in military operations in Syria.
The pattern of targeted killings among Russian military officials is concerning. Just over a year ago, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, who led the military’s nuclear, biological, and chemical protection forces, was killed by a bomb concealed in an electric scooter outside his apartment. His assistant also lost their life in the explosion, and Ukraine’s security service claimed responsibility for that attack.
In April 2025, another senior officer, Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, was killed when an explosive device detonated in his car near Moscow. Following Moskalik’s death, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked on the “liquidation” of prominent Russian military figures, suggesting these events as acts of justice despite not naming Moskalik directly.
The frequency of these attacks raises questions about the effectiveness of Russian security measures. In the wake of Kirillov’s assassination, Putin labeled it a “major blunder” for Russia’s security agencies, indicating a need for improvement in their operational efficiency.
The recent killing of Sarvarov further illustrates the ongoing conflict dynamics, as Ukraine seeks to disrupt Russian military operations through unconventional tactics. In previous instances, Ukrainian forces have conducted surprise incursions into Russian territory and launched attacks on military assets, often using drones and missiles.
As the situation evolves, Sarvarov’s assassination comes amid ongoing discussions regarding a potential peace settlement between Ukraine and Russia, facilitated by U.S. officials. President Zelensky has indicated that initial drafts of U.S. proposals align with many of Ukraine’s demands, although he acknowledged that neither side is likely to achieve all its objectives in negotiations.
The international community remains watchful as both nations navigate complex and often conflicting demands amid these turbulent times. The implications of Sarvarov’s assassination may extend beyond the immediate context, influencing the broader strategic landscape of the ongoing conflict.
