Moscow explosion: Russian general killed amid U.S. envoy visit
As a result of a car explosion in Moscow, Deputy Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia, Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, was killed, according to Russian media reports.
According to the "112" channel linked to Russia's security services, residents first heard an explosion and then noticed a fire in the yard.
Initially, it was suspected that the cause of the explosion was a gas tank, but this version has been ruled out.
Rescue services reported that the cause of the car explosion was an explosive device.
According to the Baza channel, the explosion occurred around 10:40 AM Moscow time, when Gen. Moskalik was walking past a Volkswagen parked by the building.
"The force of the explosion threw the general several metres away," it reads.
The pro-Russian Mash channel also confirms the information about the general's death.
According to the Shot channel, the explosive device was placed in the area of the rear left door. The channel cites preliminary findings of experts working at the scene.
"The explosive material was deliberately placed there because the left side of the car was closer to the building from which Yaroslav Moskalik was exiting," claims the Shot channel.
At this moment, the Ministry of Defense has not commented on these reports.
The Russian Investigative Committee has already initiated a criminal investigation into the explosion. Investigators and forensic experts have arrived at the scene.
The attack occurred just as a special U.S. envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin for the fourth time.
