Russian missile forces chief killed in car bomb near Moscow

A senior Russian defense official was killed in a car bombing early Tuesday morning in a suburb east of Moscow. The explosion occurred around 5:30 a.m. local time on Koldunova Street in the Aviatorov district of Balashikha, approximately 10 kilometers from the capital.

The driver of a BMW X3 died at the scene from multiple injuries sustained when an explosive device detonated. Bystanders attempted to rescue the driver from the burning vehicle but were unsuccessful. Russian authorities, including the Investigative Committee and the Moscow region prosecutor's office, confirmed the explosion and the opening of a criminal case but did not initially name the victim.

Multiple independent reports and Telegram channels identified the deceased as Damir Davydov, the head of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate (GRAU) of Russia's Defense Ministry. Reports conflict on his age, citing either 57 or 62. According to Russian media, the improvised explosive device, with a force estimated between 300 and 500 grams of TNT equivalent, was placed under the driver's seat.

The attack took place in a residential neighborhood originally built for military personnel and their families, where...