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A Russian lieutenant general was killed on Friday by a car bomb on the outskirts of Moscow, according to Russia’s leading criminal investigation agency.

The Investigative Committee reported that Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy head of the main operational department within the General Staff of the Russian armed forces, died after an explosive device detonated in his car in Balashikha.

Investigative Committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko stated that the explosive device was equipped with shrapnel. The identity of the perpetrator is currently unknown. 

This attack coincides with the arrival of White House envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Friday for discussions with Russian officials. The Trump administration is attempting to mediate a resolution to the war in Ukraine.

Photos from the bombing site depict a burned Volkswagen Golf vehicle outside an apartment building in Balashikha.

This incident follows the death of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, who was killed on December 17 in Moscow by a bomb concealed on an electric scooter parked near his apartment building. The bomb detonated as he was leaving for work. 

Russian authorities have blamed Ukraine for Kirillov’s death, and Ukraine’s security agency has claimed responsibility for that attack.

That bombing occurred one day after Ukraine charged Kirillov with crimes. Russian state news agency Tass reported that the explosive used in that incident had a force equivalent to approximately 300 grams of TNT.

Ukraine accused Kirillov of using prohibited chemical weapons on the battlefield. Numerous countries had also imposed sanctions on him due to his involvement in the war against Ukraine, according to the AP.

Digital’s Elizabeth Pritchett, Anders Hagstrom, Greg Wehner and

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