Moscow (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Russian Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, head of operational training, was killed in a car explosion in Moscow, with investigators exploring Ukrainian intelligence links.
As reported by Pjotr Sauer of The Guardian, a Russian general died after an explosive device blasted under his vehicle in an attack likely linked to Ukrainian intelligence.
What did Russia’s Investigative Committee say about Fanil Sarvarov’s death?
A spokesperson for Russia’s Investigative Committee said Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, who led the operational training directorate of the armed forces, passed away from his injuries.
The spokesperson said,
“Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of inquiry regarding the murder. One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services.”
According to Russian Telegram channels connected with security services, Sarvarov’s vehicle exploded while driving along Yaseneva Street in Moscow at about 7 am on Monday, resulting in the driver’s death. Reports indicate the car traveled several metres before the blast.
Sarvarov was responsible for combat training and military readiness for Russia in the Ukraine war, with extensive experience in the Kremlin’s post-Soviet conflicts.
He participated in both Chechen wars and later continued to organize Russia’s 2015–16 military operation in Syria.
The Kremlin is expected to respond to the incident later, though some Russian officials have demanded retaliation.
Andrei Kolesnik, a member of the Duma’s defence committee, said,
“We need to identify and eliminate the entire chain of those who carried out the operation. I don’t think they should be taken prisoner at all – they should simply be destroyed on the spot, as is done with terrorists.”
How could Ukraine’s attacks on Russian military leaders affect peace talks?
Since the war started, Ukrainian intelligence agencies have targeted dozens of Russian military officers and Kremlin-appointed officials, alleging their involvement in war crimes.
Details remain limited about the secretive Ukrainian resistance cells suspected of carrying out assassinations and attacks on military infrastructure in Russia and occupied territories.
Kyiv took responsibility for the killing of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, head of Russia’s military nuclear, biological, and chemical protection forces, last December, who was killed by a bomb hidden in an electric scooter outside his apartment, following criminal charges by Ukraine. The attack also claimed the life of his assistant, Ilya Polikarpov.
In September, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared to hint that further attacks on senior Russian military figures could follow, warning that “they have to know where their bomb shelters are” and adding, “If they do not stop the war, they will need it in any case.”
Kyiv’s persistent attacks against Moscow military officials have revealed failures within Russia’s security services. President Vladimir Putin called Kirillov’s killing a “major blunder,” urging the agencies to improve performance.
The impact of Sarvarov’s high-profile death on peace negotiations is uncertain, as Ukrainian and US officials hold talks in Florida to end the nearly four-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Moscow is also holding additional meetings with US officials, which are expected to continue on Monday.
US President Trump’s appointed special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, condemned Ukraine’s killing of Russian generals last year, warning that such actions may violate international warfare rules.
What did US and Ukrainian envoys say about the Miami peace talks?
US and Ukrainian officials described the main talks as “productive and constructive,” though no progress has emerged to resolve the war with Russia.
President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov released a joint statement following three days of meetings with EU allies.
The officials said the meeting focused on aligning positions on a 20-point plan, a “multilateral security guarantee framework,” a “US security guarantee framework for Ukraine,” and an “economic and prosperity plan.”
Mr Witkoff and Mr Umerov said in a statement,
“Our shared priority is to stop the killing, ensure guaranteed security, and create conditions for Ukraine’s recovery, stability, and long-term prosperity.”
How many people have died in Ukraine since the war started?
The United Nations has verified that more than 14,500 civilians have been killed in Ukraine as of late 2025. The total number of military deaths on both sides is not officially confirmed.
The UN estimates that 14,200 to 14,400 people were killed in the fighting in eastern Ukraine before the 2022 invasion. This figure includes approximately 3,400 civilian deaths, with the rest being military personnel.
