A high-ranking Russian military figure has been killed in a suspected car bomb explosion in Moscow on Monday morning. Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, died from his injuries, Svetlana Petrenko, official spokesperson for Russia’s Investigative Committee said.

The top brass officer, 56, is believed to have been going to work in his Kia Sorento when an explosive device was detonated underneath his car in the asenevo district. Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, died from his injuries, Svetlana Petrenko, official spokesperson for Russia’s Investigative Committee said.

“Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of enquiry regarding the murder. One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services,” Petrenko said.

One report said the victim suffered “multiple shrapnel injuries, closed fractures, leg injuries, and a fractured facial bone.

“He is in a very serious condition and is being hospitalised.” Seven other cars were damaged by the force of the blast.

“At first, we thought a drone had been shot down,” said a resident.

“There was an explosion, but there was no fire.”

The Russian Investigative Committee launched an immediate criminal probe into the blast but did not name the wounded officer.

“Investigators and forensic experts from the Moscow Investigative Committee, together with emergency services, are examining the scene,” said a spokeswoman.

“A number of examinations, including medical and explosive examinations, will be scheduled soon.”

Investigators and forensic experts from the Moscow main directorate of the Investigative Committee, together with operational services, are currently examing the scene.

Forensic medical and explosive technicals will be appointed in the near future. The progress of the investigation has been placed under control in the central apparatus of the Investigative Committee of Russia, according to the Russian Investigative Committee.

Ukraine was previously believed to have been behind the assassinations of senior military figures in Russia.

A year ago, Lt-Gen Igor Kirillov, 54, in charge of Russia’s radiation, chemical and biological defence troops, died in a blast as he left his apartment building for work.

Major-General Yaroslav Moskalik, 58, died when a Volkswagen Golf exploded as he walked past it close to his residence near Moscow in April this year