A Russian general was killed in a car bombing near Moscow as Trump’s envoy arrived for peace talks amid an escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

At a Glance

• Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik was killed in a car bombing attack near Moscow, with the explosive device rigged with shrapnel
• The assassination follows a similar attack that killed Russian General Igor Kirillov, which Ukrainian security agencies acknowledged
• The bombing coincided with White House envoy Steve Witkoff’s visit to Moscow for talks with President Putin about the Ukraine war
• US President Trump has condemned Russia’s recent attacks on Ukraine, urging Putin to “STOP” and expressing frustration with the lack of progress on peace talks
• The death toll from recent Russian strikes on Kyiv has risen to 12, with 90 injured

Russian General Assassinated in Moscow Area Car Bombing

Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik was killed in a sophisticated car bombing in Balashikha, near Moscow, Russian authorities confirmed. According to Investigative Committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko, “The explosive device was rigged with shrapnel,” indicating the targeted nature of the attack. This marks the second high-profile assassination of a Russian military leader in recent months, following the December killing of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov in a similar bombing incident. Russian authorities have pointed to Ukraine’s involvement, with Ukrainian security agencies previously acknowledging responsibility for Kirillov’s death.

The timing of the attack is particularly significant as it coincided with the arrival of White House envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow for high-level peace talks with President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

The assassination represents a concerning escalation in the shadow war between Russia and Ukraine that has expanded beyond the traditional battlefield. Kirillov had been under international sanctions for his involvement in the war against Ukraine and was accused of using banned chemical weapons.

BREAKING:

Looks like Ukraine’s military intelligence has eliminated one of Russia’s top-level war criminals.

Deputy Chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the Russian General Staff, Major General Yaroslav Moskalik, was killed in a car bomb explosion in Moscow this morning pic.twitter.com/mUPLv1UAP5

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) April 25, 2025

Trump’s Diplomatic Efforts Amid Increasing Tensions

US President Donald Trump has strongly condemned Russia’s recent attacks on Ukraine, calling the timing “very bad” as his administration attempts to broker peace between the warring nations. In a direct message to the Russian leader, Trump urged, “Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!” The strikes on Kyiv have resulted in at least 12 deaths and 90 injuries, with the Svyatoshynskyi district suffering the heaviest damage according to verification teams on the ground.

Trump’s administration appears increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress in peace negotiations. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “The President is frustrated. His patience is running very thin.” Trump had previously promised to achieve peace between Russia and Ukraine on “day one” of his presidency. His team has reportedly placed blame on Ukrainian President Zelensky for the continuation of the conflict, particularly regarding his stance on Crimea. Trump has accused Zelensky of harming peace talks by refusing to recognize Russian control of the peninsula, which the international community still recognizes as part of Ukraine.

🇷🇺🇺🇦TRUMP’S ENVOY ARRIVES IN MOSCOW FOR PUTIN PEACE TALKS

The 4th round of talks between Steve Witkoff and Putin is expected to cover Trump’s final offer, which reportedly includes:

Permanent ceasefire.

Both sides immediately engage in technical implementation negotiations.… https://t.co/qArDitU9KL pic.twitter.com/hldNAqiNII

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 25, 2025

International Response and Diplomatic Efforts

As violence escalates, diplomatic channels remain active. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has emphasized the importance of an unconditional ceasefire from Russia while maintaining Britain’s position on Crimea, aligning with Ukraine’s stance. Starmer recently discussed energy security and sanctions on Russia with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who plans to present a roadmap to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports, demonstrating continued Western unity against Russian aggression despite the ongoing challenges.

Ukrainian President Zelensky, who described the recent strikes as “difficult” and “impudent,” has been exploring various diplomatic avenues. In discussions with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Zelensky expressed hope for US involvement as a guarantor of a potential ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, Kyiv residents continue to show remarkable resilience in the face of ongoing attacks. As local resident Tanya Usova noted, the people of Kyiv have adapted to the harsh reality of living under constant threat while maintaining their determination to prevail in this protracted conflict.