Senior Russian military officer reportedly killed in car explosion around Moscow

A senior Russian military officer was killed on Friday after a car exploded in the town of Balashikha around Moscow, Russian news outlets Mash and Shot reported.

Mash identified the officer as Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces.

Reuters could not verify Mash's assertion.

There was no immediate official confirmation from the authorities of what happened or details about the identity of the officer targeted.

Russian media outlet Baza, which has sources in the country's law enforcement agencies, said a bomb in a parked car had been detonated remotely when the officer — who lived locally — walked past. 

Reuters