'Orchestrated by Ukraine': Top Russian general killed by bomb under his car - who was Fanil Sarvarov?

A senior Russian military officer has been killed after an explosive device detonated beneath his car in southern Moscow, news agency AP reported citing Russian investigators.

The blast occurred on Monday morning in the Yasenevo district as the officer was travelling to work. Russian media identified the victim as Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, 56, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff.






“Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of enquiry regarding the murder. One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services,” said Svetlana Petrenko, official spokesperson for Russia's Investigative Committee.

Early reports by Ukraine National News said that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device planted under a Kia Sorento, which detonated shortly after the vehicle began moving. Investigators said they were pursuing multiple lines of inquiry.

The killing comes amid intensified fighting in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia launched around 1,300 attack drones, nearly 1,200 guided bombs and nine missiles over the past week, with southern regions, including Odesa, particularly affected. Ukrainian authorities said a Russian strike on the Odesa region killed eight people and wounded 27. Zelenskyy added that Ukraine and the United States were continuing negotiations aimed at ending the war, while Russia confirmed ongoing talks with US officials in Miami.