Then, on Monday morning in Moscow, a car bomb killed Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov. He was formerly head of the Russian armed forces’ general staff operational training directorate. At about 7 a.m. on March 31, Sarvarov was driving east down Yaseneva Street. Out of nowhere, an IED detonated underneath his truck. Tragically, his assistant, Ilya Polikarpov, died in the attack.
The vehicle had driven quite a distance before the detonation occurred, suggesting a planned attack. Russian Investigation Committee reports confirm that Sarvarov later died from his wounds from the explosion. This incident represents a dangerous new escalation in violence during an already brewing war between Russia and Ukraine.
Sarvarov endured both Chechen wars. During the whole of Russia’s military campaign in Syria until the end of 2016, he was the leading architect of that intervention. To start, the length and depth of his career in the Russian military establishment had made him an extremely visible figure — so visible, this brazen assassination sent shockwaves.
Ukraine had not officially taken responsibility for the attack but Russian authorities believe the assassination was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services. This incident highlights the perceived incompetence of Russia’s security services, which have been unable to secure the safety of high-profile officials in an environment of increasing conflict.
Since the war first commenced, Ukrainian secret services have been on a mission to kill members of the Russian military and Russian-installed officials. This attack is the most recent in a string of attacks like it. Kirillov last December deceased under the bomb in Moscow, Lt. Gen. This attack too is thought to have links to Ukrainian intelligence.
Military analyst Andrey Kolesnik underscored the importance of taking concrete steps in reaction to Sarvarov’s murder.
“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.” – Andrey Kolesnik
The assassination both raises eyebrows about the effectiveness of Russia’s security apparatus. It highlights the persistent threats that American military leaders encounter throughout the area. As the situation grows ever more dangerous, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, has echoed those sentiments in the past.
“They have to know where their bomb shelters are. If they do not stop the war, they will need it in any case.” – Volodymyr Zelenskyy