Russia charges Ukrainian in killing of Senior military officer
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The suspect, Ignat Kuzin, has confessed to the killing and stated he had been recruited by Ukraine's security services.
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Ignat Kuzin has confessed to the murder of Russian Armed Forces General Yaroslav Moskalik, according to the Russian Investigative Committee. Kuzin was reportedly promised $18,000 for carrying out the killing (Screengrab, FSB)
Russian authorities have brought terrorism charges against a Ukrainian national accused of assassinating a senior Russian military officer outside Moscow, Interfax news agency reported on Sunday.
The Kremlin has placed responsibility on Kiev for the car bombing on Friday that killed 59-year-old Yaroslav Moskalik. His death adds to a growing list of Russian military and pro-war figures targeted since the conflict with Ukraine began. Ukrainian officials have not issued a response regarding the attack.
According to Interfax, which cited a statement from Russia's Investigative Committee, the suspect, Ignat Kuzin, has confessed to the killing and stated he had been recruited by Ukraine's security services.
🇺🇦🇷🇺 The Ukranian bomb assassin was following Ukrainian instructions and set up the bomb and camera, so that someone from Ukraine can pull the trigger.
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) April 26, 2025
Ignat Kuzin, the suspect in the murder of Lieutenant General Moskalik near Moscow, stated during interrogation that he was… pic.twitter.com/sZwoyHoEfj
Moskalik, who served as deputy head of the Main Operations Directorate of Russia's General Staff, was killed in Balashikha, a town near Moscow. His assassination occurred just hours before US President Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, was set to meet President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss potential resolutions to the war in Ukraine.
The Investigative Committee noted that efforts were underway to identify additional individuals who may have been connected to Moskalik's death.
Read more: Russia links general Moskalik’s murder to Ukrainian intelligence
Russian military bloggers described Moskalik as a "rising star" within military circles. He had been part of several high-level Russian delegations that engaged with Western counterparts in negotiations aimed at ending the Ukraine conflict.
Beyond his role in the Ukraine war efforts, Moskalik also had responsibilities in Syria and contributed to international military discussions. In 2021, he presented a report on "military-technical cooperation in Africa and the Middle East" at a security forum in Moscow.
