A senior Russian military official has died after a car bomb exploded near his home outside Moscow, marking the latest in a series of attacks targeting Russian military figures since the start of the war in Ukraine.
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Col Damir Davydov, 57, was killed early on Tuesday when an explosive device hidden beneath his BMW detonated as he drove through the city of Balashikha, according to reports from independent Russian outlet Astra. The blast occurred at about 5:30 a.m.
Davydov headed Russia’s artillery and missile ammunition supply directorate, a key logistics position responsible for overseeing the distribution of weapons and ammunition to the country’s armed forces.
Explosion Captured on Camera
Security footage circulated by pro-Kremlin media appeared to show the vehicle bursting into flames before rolling into a parked car. The Telegram channel Mash reported that passers-by rushed to rescue the driver from the wreckage.
A witness who attempted to help Davydov told Astra that the colonel was still alive when he was pulled from the burning vehicle.
The witness said Davydov’s clothing had caught fire and efforts were made to extinguish the flames, but his injuries appeared severe. He later died from his wounds.
No Immediate Claim of Responsibility
Neither Russian nor Ukrainian authorities have publicly commented on the incident.
However, Vladimir Shamanov, a Russian lawmaker and retired general, condemned the attack, describing it as an “outrage”. Without directly accusing Ukraine, he said those responsible should face an equivalent response.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ukrainian intelligence services have been linked to numerous operations targeting senior Russian military officers and Moscow-installed officials in occupied territories. Kyiv has accused many of those targeted of involvement in alleged war crimes.
Security Concerns Renewed
The killing is likely to increase scrutiny of Russia’s security services and their ability to protect senior military and political figures.
The attack took place despite tighter security measures introduced for top officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, following several high-profile attacks in recent years.
The location of the bombing has added to concerns. Balashikha was also the site of another deadly car bombing just over a year ago, when Lt Gen Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of the Russian armed forces’ main operations directorate, was killed less than a mile away in a similar attack.
Shadowy Networks Inside Russia
Little is publicly known about the networks believed to be carrying out sabotage and assassination operations inside Russia and Russian-controlled territories. Analysts believe these groups have been responsible for attacks on military infrastructure and senior officials far from the front lines.
The continued success of such operations is widely seen as one factor behind Russia’s increasing use of internet shutdowns and communications restrictions, measures that have generated growing public frustration in parts of the country.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 10 June 2026