A senior Russian military general is believed to have been killed by a car bomb while driving his BMW X3 through Moscow, with reports suggesting a social media post gave his location away.
Details of the Attack
The car bomb, containing around half a kilogram of explosives, was detonated while the vehicle was driving through the eastern outskirts of Moscow at 5:30 a.m. local time yesterday. The passenger was killed instantly.
The victim is believed to be Lieutenant General Damir Davydov, 57, who was in charge of Russia's missile and artillery programme responsible for supplying weapons to forces fighting in Ukraine.
Social Media Connection
Multiple reports allege that Russian military cadet Rafael Davydov, the general's son, posted a picture of his father's car on the internet with the number plate visible. This information may have allowed enemy forces to locate and target the vehicle.
While unconfirmed by Russia or Ukraine, several blogs have named Davydov as the victim. The Russian investigative authorities released a short statement saying an investigation has been launched but did not disclose the target.
Previous Attacks
This is not the first time Ukraine has used car bombs to target Russian military men. In December 2025, General Fanil Sarvarov, 56, was assassinated in a car bomb attack in Moscow while driving a Kia Sorento. Seven other vehicles were damaged in that explosion.
In 2024, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, 54, and Major General Yaroslav Moskalik, 58, were also killed in similar attacks.
