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An explosion in Moscow on Wednesday killed three people, including two police officers, according to Russian investigators. The blast occurred just days after a car bomb killed a high-ranking general in the same area of the Russian capital.
An official from Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (GUR) told The Associated Press the attack was carried out as part of an agency operation. Another GUR official claimed the police officers had participated in Russia’s war in Ukraine, though neither official provided specific details. Both sources spoke anonymously as they weren’t authorized to comment publicly.
Russian authorities have not officially attributed blame for the attack. The Investigative Committee spokesperson, Svetlana Petrenko, said in a statement that two traffic police officers approached a suspicious individual when a device detonated, killing both officers and a nearby bystander.
The Russian Interior Ministry identified the fallen officers as 24-year-old Lt. Ilya Klimanov, who joined the Moscow police in October 2023, and 25-year-old Lt. Maxim Gorbunov, who leaves behind a wife and 9-month-old daughter.
Wednesday’s explosion happened in the vicinity where Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov was killed by a car bomb on Monday. Sarvarov served as the head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff. Russian investigators have indicated they are examining possible Ukrainian involvement in Sarvarov’s death, marking the third assassination of a senior Russian military officer in just over a year.
The pattern of targeted killings has become increasingly apparent. In April, Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy head of the main operational department in the General Staff, died when an explosive device detonated in his car outside his Moscow apartment building. Following Moskalik’s death, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a cryptic statement about receiving a report on the “liquidation” of top Russian military figures, noting that “justice inevitably comes,” though he did not explicitly reference Moskalik.
Just over a year ago, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, who headed Russia’s nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed by a bomb hidden on an electric scooter outside his residence. His assistant also perished in the attack. Ukraine’s security service subsequently claimed responsibility for this operation.
These targeted assassinations represent one facet of Ukraine’s asymmetric approach to the conflict. Facing Russia’s larger and better-equipped military, Ukraine has employed unconventional tactics to shift momentum. In August 2023, Ukrainian forces executed a surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, temporarily diverting Russian military resources despite facing pressure on other fronts. Similarly, in June, Ukraine deployed drone swarms from mobile launchers to strike bomber bases deep inside Russian territory.
Since Russia’s invasion nearly four years ago, Moscow has blamed Kyiv for numerous assassinations of military officers and public figures on Russian soil. Ukraine has acknowledged responsibility for some operations while maintaining strategic ambiguity about others.
The ongoing campaign of targeted killings inside Russia demonstrates Ukraine’s willingness to strike high-value targets behind enemy lines, potentially disrupting Russian military leadership and creating psychological pressure on those involved in directing the war effort.
Meanwhile, Western officials have accused Russia of orchestrating disruption and sabotage operations across Europe, allegedly aimed at undermining support for Ukraine. Moscow has consistently denied these allegations.
The escalating pattern of assassinations highlights how the conflict has expanded beyond traditional battlefield engagements to include targeted operations against military leadership, reflecting the increasingly asymmetric nature of the nearly four-year-long war.
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16 Comments
Attacks on civilians and law enforcement are never acceptable, no matter the circumstances. I hope the investigation can uncover the full truth behind this incident and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Agreed. Maintaining peace and security should be the top priority for all sides involved, even amidst ongoing conflicts.
This is a concerning development that underscores the volatility of the situation in the region. My condolences go out to the families of the victims. I hope the investigation can shed light on the motives and origins of this attack.
Agreed. Uncovering the truth and maintaining stability should be the top priorities, regardless of political affiliations.
Attacks targeting law enforcement are particularly disturbing. My condolences go out to the families and colleagues of the officers killed. Uncovering the truth behind this attack should be the top priority for investigators on all sides.
Absolutely. Any information that sheds light on the perpetrators and their motives will be critical in preventing future such incidents.
This is a tragic and complex situation. My heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones. I hope the investigation can uncover the full truth behind this attack and bring those responsible to justice, regardless of their affiliations.
Well said. Maintaining objectivity and a focus on justice and prevention should be the top priorities at this stage.
This is a complex and tragic situation. My heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones. I hope the authorities can get to the bottom of what happened and hold the responsible parties accountable, regardless of their affiliations.
Attacks targeting law enforcement are particularly troubling. I hope the authorities can get to the bottom of this incident and hold those responsible accountable, while also taking steps to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
While the allegations of Ukrainian involvement are serious, I think it’s important to withhold judgment until more facts come to light. Ongoing conflicts often lead to misinformation and finger-pointing, so a measured response focused on the evidence will be important.
Well said. Jumping to conclusions without a thorough investigation could inflame tensions further. Maintaining objectivity is key during these challenging times.
This is a tragic and concerning incident. While the details are still emerging, any loss of life is deeply regrettable. I hope the authorities can conduct a thorough investigation and bring those responsible to justice, regardless of which side they may be affiliated with.
Agreed, violence only begets more violence. I hope this doesn’t escalate the tensions further between Russia and Ukraine.
Any loss of life is regrettable, and my condolences go out to the families and colleagues of the officers killed. While the details remain unclear, a thorough and impartial investigation will be crucial to understanding what happened and preventing future such incidents.
While the details remain murky, any loss of innocent life is deeply saddening. I hope the authorities can conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent future such incidents.