Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service has reportedly eliminated Russian General Lieutenant Yaroslav Moskalik in a precise operation inside Russian territory. The operation, which involved a car explosion in the town of Balashikha near Moscow on 25 April, is being seen as the latest successful action in what Ukrainian sources describe as a new phase of eliminating Russian war criminals.
Military expert Ivan Stupak revealed on Ukrainian television that he personally contacted two Ukrainian agencies after news broke of the explosion, expecting confirmation of their involvement. Both denied responsibility, which he found unusual. It later became clear that the Foreign Intelligence Service was behind the action. Stupak likened the operation to previous high profile eliminations such as that of General Kirilov, noting similarities in the tactics used, including remote detonation and use of webcams for surveillance.
General Moskalik, a senior officer in the Russian Ministry of Defence, was considered a key figure in planning and coordinating military operations across multiple fronts in Ukraine. According to Stupak, Moskalik was also involved in preparing strategic documents directly for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Andrei Belousov.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed during a briefing on 28 April that he had met with the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service and had been informed about the elimination of high ranking Russian military officials.
The President made clear that Ukraine’s security and intelligence services are actively pursuing justice on behalf of victims of Russian aggression.
Stupak suggested this successful strike may mark the beginning of a renewed campaign of targeted eliminations carried out on Russian soil by Ukraine’s intelligence community. He noted the professional execution of the attack, and the likelihood that the Foreign Intelligence Service is now staffed by highly experienced operatives drawn from Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate.
