In a shocking incident in the Russian capital, Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, the head of a critical department of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, was killed in a car explosion. The tragedy, which has drawn global attention, has prompted the Russian Investigative Committee to open a criminal case and initiate an inquiry into the matter.
Details of the morning explosion and assassination
On the morning of December 22, a loud explosion was heard in the residential parking area on Yasenevo Street in Moscow. It was later revealed that an improvised explosive device planted under a Kia Sorento, owned by General Sarvarov, had been detonated.
- Injuries and death: The explosion caused severe injuries to the 56-year-old general. Despite being rescued from the vehicle and transported to a hospital, he succumbed to his injuries despite doctors’ efforts to save him.
- Investigation theory: Russian law enforcement agencies have identified a suspected link to Ukrainian intelligence services as the primary hypothesis behind the assassination.
Who was Fanil Sarvarov?
Lieutenant General Sarvarov was a highly experienced figure in the Russian military. His career began at the Kazan Tank Command School and advanced with further studies at the General Staff Academy.
- Military service: He participated in military operations in Chechnya and played an active role in coordinating operations in Syria during 2015–2016.
- Position: Since 2016, he had been heading the Operational Training Directorate of the General Staff.
- Rank: In May 2024, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general by a presidential decree.
A second general killed: The second incident in one week
Notably, this marks the second successful assassination targeting senior military officials in Moscow within a week. Just a few days earlier, on December 17, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the Chief of the Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defense Troops, was also killed in a blast.
Four individuals were found responsible for Kirillov’s death, suspected of carrying out a terrorist attack using an explosive device attached to an electric scooter. So far, Ukrainian authorities have not issued any official statement regarding Sarvarov’s death.
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