Damir Davydov, head of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of Russia’s Defense Ministry, was killed by a car bomb in Balashikha, near Moscow, the Telegram channel VChK-OGPU and Ukrainian blogger Anatoly Shariy reported, without providing specific sources.
Meduza could not independently confirm this information.
According to Myrotvorets (an unofficial Ukrainian online database of people accused of colluding with Russia or participating in pro-Russian separatist movements), Davydov lived on Kozhedub Street in Balashikha. The street intersects with Koldunov Street, where the car exploded.
The explosion in Balashikha occurred around 5:30 a.m., just after Davydov got into his car and drove off. Kommersant, citing sources, reported that an explosive device containing the equivalent of up to 500 grams of TNT detonated beneath the vehicle. Russia’s Investigative Committee opened a criminal case, though no charge was specified.
In April 2025, Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, was killed in a car bombing in Balashikha. In November 2025, a court sentenced Ignat Kuzin to life in prison for planting an explosive in Moskalik’s car on Ukrainian intelligence’s orders, according to the FSB.
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