Russian General Killed in Moscow Car Bombing During Witkoff- Putin Talks

A senior Russian military official, Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, was killed in a car bombing near Moscow just hours before a scheduled meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss a potential ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war. Moskalik, a deputy head in Russia’s General Staff, died after an explosive device, reportedly packed with shrapnel and possibly detonated remotely, destroyed his vehicle in Balashikha. The timing of the attack, which echoes previous Ukrainian-claimed assassinations of Russian officials, has heightened tensions around the high-stakes U.S.-Russia talks. While Russian investigators have not named suspects, prior similar attacks have been attributed to Ukrainian security services. The incident is likely to cast a shadow over ongoing diplomatic efforts as both sides seek progress before key milestones in the conflict. The U.S. administration, eager for tangible peace achievements, has previously pressured Ukraine to make concessions, further complicating the diplomatic landscape.