Terrorist Attack in Balashikha: New Insights into the Car Explosion that Killed General Moskalik

Balashikha, Moscow Region – April 25, 2025 – In what has been described as a meticulously planned terrorist attack, Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik of the Russian Defense Ministry was killed in a car explosion in Balashikha, near Moscow. The explosion, which occurred around 10:40 a.m. at the entrance to a residential building, involved a Volkswagen Golf that had been transformed into a deadly weapon through sophisticated technology and military-grade explosives.

New information emerging from sources has begun to unravel crucial details about the vehicle and the individuals behind the attack. The car was registered to 34-year-old Ignat Kuzin, a native of Sumy, Ukraine, who had been living in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic since 2015. After acquiring the vehicle from a previous owner, Andrey P., in early February 2025, Kuzin conducted the transaction without raising any suspicions, leaving no indication that the car would be used for a criminal purpose.

As General Moskalik walked past the parked Volkswagen Golf, an improvised explosive device (IED) concealed within detonated. Investigators have determined that the IED was constructed using rounds for an under-barrel grenade launcher (VOG), with an estimated explosive power equivalent to 500 grams of TNT. The device was designed for maximum impact, with most of the VOGs placed strategically in the left side of the trunk. The explosion’s force was so intense that it shattered windows of nearby buildings and threw the general several meters from the site, resulting in immediate fatal injuries.

Eyewitness accounts and video footage from the scene reveal the extent of the destruction, with the vehicle nearly obliterated and debris scattered across the surrounding area. A key component in the execution of this attack was a surveillance camera installed in the car, which allowed the assailants to monitor the general’s movements and time the detonation with precision.

The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has classified the incident as a terrorist act, opening criminal cases under multiple charges, including terrorism, murder, and illegal trafficking in explosives. Spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko confirmed that investigators are working diligently to uncover all aspects of the crime, including any potential connections to foreign intelligence agencies. The role of Ignat Kuzin remains a focal point in the investigation, as authorities seek to determine whether he was complicit in the planning or if his vehicle was used without his knowledge.

This attack bears striking similarities to a previous assassination attempt that claimed the life of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov in December 2024. In that incident, an IED attached to a scooter was detonated remotely while monitoring the general’s departure from his residence. Experts emphasize that these incidents reflect a concerning level of sophistication, with the use of military-grade munitions, remote detonation mechanisms, and surveillance technology indicating the perpetrators’ professionalism and access to specialized resources.

The implications of this attack extend beyond individual tragedy, highlighting the ongoing threat of targeted violence against military personnel in Russia and the potential involvement of organized networks operating within and outside the country.