MOSCOW — A senior Russian military official was killed Friday in a car bomb attack outside Moscow, in what Kremlin authorities quickly labeled an act of terrorism and blamed on Ukraine, further deepening tensions between the two countries as the war enters its fourth year.
Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, a high-ranking figure in Russia’s armed forces, was fatally wounded when an explosive device detonated inside a Volkswagen Golf in the city of Balashikha, a suburban district located just east of the capital. According to Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for Russia’s federal Investigative Committee, the bomb was a homemade device packed with shrapnel and appears to have been designed for maximum lethality.
“The detonation of the device resulted in the death of Lt. Gen. Moskalik at the scene,” Petrenko said in a televised statement. She confirmed that a criminal investigation had been launched into the explosion, which she described as an act of terrorism.
Video released by Russian investigators showed the scorched remains of the vehicle on a desolate road, its hood blown open and the cabin reduced to charred debris. It was not immediately clear whether Moskalik was inside the car at the time of the explosion or in close proximity when the device was triggered.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov did not hesitate to implicate Kyiv during a press briefing, stating, “The Kyiv regime once again shows its nature,” and accusing Ukrainian forces of continuing what he called “terrorist activity” on Russian soil. However, Moscow has not formally presented evidence linking Ukraine to the attack, and Ukrainian officials have not commented on the accusation.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, echoed the allegations, characterizing the bombing as a “terrorist act,” and claimed the attack fits a broader pattern of operations targeting Russian officials and military figures.
“This is not an isolated incident,” Zakharova said. “We have seen repeated attempts to assassinate Russian personnel, both military and civilian, as part of Kyiv’s hybrid warfare strategy.”
Moskalik is the latest in a string of high-profile Russian figures to be assassinated or targeted since the start of the war in February 2022. The list includes pro-war commentator Darya Dugina and former submarine commander Stanislav Rzhitsky, both of whom were killed in bombings or shootings that Moscow has attributed to Ukrainian intelligence or its affiliates.
Authorities said the investigative team assigned to Moskalik’s case includes forensic analysts, bomb specialists, and top federal law enforcement personnel. The city of Balashikha, home to numerous military facilities, has been placed under heightened security.
The car bombing comes as Russia intensifies its aerial assault on Ukrainian cities. Overnight Thursday, a barrage of Russian missiles killed at least 12 civilians in Kyiv, drawing sharp condemnation from President Donald Trump.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. In a direct appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump added: “Vladimir, STOP! Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!”
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Trump expressed confidence that Putin would heed his call to end the strikes and reiterated his belief that both sides ultimately desire peace. However, Trump also vented frustration over Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s continued refusal to consider territorial concessions as part of a potential ceasefire.
That position was challenged Friday by Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, who publicly stated that Ukraine may need to contemplate giving up some territory to achieve peace — a rare public deviation from Ukraine’s official stance.
The remarks drew swift criticism from Zelenskyy’s office. Serhiy Leshchenko, a senior adviser, called Klitschko’s comments “counterproductive” during an interview with the BBC, emphasizing that the Ukrainian government remains committed to reclaiming all occupied territories, including Crimea.
Meanwhile, Russian state media released new footage of U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff’s latest meeting with Putin in Moscow. Witkoff, who has emerged as the central figure in President Trump’s Ukraine peace push, has held multiple closed-door sessions with the Russian leader over the past several months.
With another high-ranking Russian general now dead and both sides engaged in parallel diplomatic and military maneuvers, the path to a negotiated resolution remains uncertain — but the stakes, and the death toll, continue to rise.
