A senior Russian military officer is believed to have been killed in a car explosion in the Moscow region on Thursday morning, in what could be a significant escalation in internal tensions within the Russian Armed Forces.
Major General Yaroslav Moskalik, Deputy Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, is thought to have died in the blast, according to several Russian Telegram channels. However, no official confirmation has been issued by Russian authorities.
The explosion occurred at approximately 10:40am in the city of Balashikha, just east of Moscow. Reports from the independent Telegram channel Baza state that the blast took place near Moskalik’s residence as he passed a parked Volkswagen Golf, which then detonated, throwing a military officer several metres through the air.
Images from the scene appear to show the car heavily damaged, with parts of the vehicle scattered across the street. The explosion also shattered windows in nearby buildings, suggesting the device may have been packed with shrapnel, indicating the possible use of a homemade explosive.
State media outlets TASS and RIA Novosti presented conflicting accounts, reporting that a civilian passer-by had been killed, rather than a military officer. Both agencies noted that the vehicle had gas equipment installed, and investigators are said to be exploring two main lines of inquiry: either a gas cylinder explosion or the deliberate detonation of an improvised explosive device (IED).
If Moskalik’s death is confirmed, it would mark one of the most high-profile assassinations of a Russian military figure on home soil in recent memory, raising concerns about internal instability or targeted attacks within Russia’s power structures.
Authorities have not yet commented on whether the incident is being treated as an act of terrorism.
