Car explosion in Balashikha: General of the Ministry of Defense Yaroslav Moskalik was killed

General Yaroslav Moskalik

An explosion took place in the Balashikha area this morning, which claimed the life of a high-ranking military officer. The explosion occurred at about 10:40 a.m. Moscow time, when 59-year-old Defense Ministry General Yaroslav Moskalik was passing by a Volkswagen Golf car parked at his house. As a result of the explosion, the general was thrown back several meters and died on the spot.

Details of the incident

1. Installation of an explosive device:

   - An improvised explosive device (IED) packed with destructive elements was pre-installed in the car. According to preliminary information, the IED consisted of explosive rounds for under—barrel grenade launchers. VOGs were installed throughout the car, but the largest number of them was concentrated in the left side of the trunk.

2. The explosion mechanism:

   - The explosion was initiated remotely using a security camera installed in the car. The explosion occurred at the moment when General Moskalik came out of the entrance and passed by the car. The scattering of fragments during the explosion was about 300 meters, which indicates the high power of the explosive device.

3. Explosion victim:

   - The deceased, General Yaroslav Moskalik, was a well-known figure in military circles. In 2021, he served as Deputy Chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. His death was a significant loss for the Russian military command.

Connection to previous incidents

The explosion in Balashikha is reminiscent of a similar incident that occurred in December 2024, when General Kirillov was killed. At that time, an explosive device was also installed in a car parked at the victim's entrance and was equipped with a camera to monitor the general's exit. This fact indicates a possible connection between the two crimes and targeted actions against high-ranking military personnel.

Investigation and consequences

The investigative authorities have already launched an investigation into the incident. The main version is a terrorist act aimed at destabilizing the country's military leadership. Security measures have been tightened for senior military personnel and their families in connection with the incident.

The explosion in Balashikha and the death of General Moskalik underscore the seriousness of the threats facing the country's military leadership. Urgent measures are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future and protect key figures from possible terrorist attacks.