In brief
In a tragic incident in Moscow, two traffic police officers and a nearby civilian were killed in an explosion. The blast occurred near where a senior Russian general was killed a few days prior. Investigations are ongoing as authorities delve into potential links to recent attacks in the city.
Three people - including two police officers - have been killed in an explosion in Moscow, according to Russian authorities.
Two traffic police officers spotted a 'suspicious individual' near a police car on Yeletskaya Street, and as they approached to detain him, an explosive device was detonated, the Investigative Committee has reported.
The two officers died from their injuries, along with another individual who was nearby. The blast coincides with the recent car bombing that resulted in the death of a senior Russian general.
Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov was killed in a separate incident where an explosive device was planted under his vehicle.
Investigative Committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko stated that a criminal case is being pursued in relation to this deadly attack on the officers. Both officers have been identified by Russian media as Ilya Klimanov, 24, and Maxim Gorbunov, 25.
Witness Alexander noted, 'There was an explosion. It was a loud bang - similar to the car incident a few days ago.'
Russian authorities suspect a connection to Ukraine in the earlier explosion, although no confirmation has been made regarding its involvement. It remains unclear if the two incidents are related.
Sarvarov, 56, was the head of the armed forces' operational training department and the third military official to die in a bombing within a year.
