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Russian Investigative Committee confirms death of General Staff officer in Moscow region explosion -UPDATED-1

25 April 2025 14:13 (UTC +04:00)

The Russian Investigative Committee has launched a criminal case regarding the death of Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, Deputy Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, who was killed in a car explosion in the town of Balashikha, Moscow region, APA's Moscow correspondent reports.

The Investigative Committee has described the incident that led to the general's death as a murder.

The committee also stated that an explosive device with various components detonated in the vehicle.

Note that at around 10:40 AM today, a Volkswagen car parked in front of a residential building in the city of Balashikha, Moscow region, exploded. As a result of the powerful blast, one person passing by the vehicle was reported killed. Later, Russian media reported that the person who died in the explosion was Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, Deputy Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The 59-year-old general had held this position since 2021.

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13:41

It has been reported that Yaroslav Moskalik, Deputy Chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, died as a result of a car explosion in the city of Balashikha, Moscow region, APA’s Russian bureau reports, citing the local media.

It was stated that 59-year-old General Yaroslav Moskalik of the Ministry of Defense died in the explosion. He was appointed Deputy Head of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces in 2021.

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12:58

A car exploded in the yard of a residential building in Balashikha, Moscow region, APA reports, citing local Telegram channels.

The source of the explosion was found to be inside a parked Volkswagen.

Initial assessments suggest that the explosion could have been caused by a bomb or a gas cylinder inside the car. The car's roof was completely torn off, and the body was fully burnt.

Preliminary reports indicate that a passerby was killed in the explosion.

An operational-investigation team has arrived at the scene to determine the cause of the blast. Footage from the incident has been circulating on social media.