Russian security services have arrested a man accused of killing a top general in a car bomb blast near Moscow, according to a statement from the Federal Security Service (FSB) today. The explosion, which took place in the city of Balashikha, resulted in the death of Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, the deputy head of the Russian military’s main operational division.
The FSB claims the suspect, Ignat Kuzin, a Ukrainian national born in 1983, planted explosives in a Volkswagen Golf that was detonated remotely from Ukraine. The authorities allege that Kuzin, using a homemade explosive device taken from a Ukrainian special services stockpile, targeted Moskalik in what they described as a planned attack. Kuzin has been detained and is currently being questioned by Russia’s Investigative Committee. He faces potential terrorism charges, which could result in a life sentence.
The Kremlin has blamed Ukrainian intelligence for the attack, which has not been publicly acknowledged by Ukraine. The explosion, which bore similarities to previous attacks on Russian military figures and pro-Kremlin officials, is the latest in a series of high-profile incidents involving the targeted killing of individuals connected to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russian officials have claimed a victory in the Kursk region, a strategic area bordering Ukraine. According to Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov, the region has been “fully liberated” from Ukrainian control with the assistance of North Korean soldiers, marking the first admission of North Korean involvement in the conflict. Gerasimov praised their “heroism” and claimed that their presence was instrumental in defeating Ukrainian forces in the region.
However, Ukraine has denied the Russian claims, asserting that its forces are still holding positions in Kursk. The Ukrainian army dismissed Russian statements as “propaganda tricks.” The Ukrainian Chief of Staff acknowledged that the situation in Kursk was “difficult,” but reaffirmed that Ukrainian troops were still operational in the region.
Western and South Korean intelligence reports suggest that over 10,000 North Korean soldiers were sent to Russia last year to support Russian forces in their offensive against Ukraine. Ukrainian forces continue to engage in operations in Belgorod, another border region.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a video conference with Gerasimov, hailed the “liberation” of Kursk, describing the operation as a failure for Ukraine’s military. He also indicated that the Russian forces’ success in the region would set the stage for further advances on other fronts in the war.
