Deceased Russian Defense Ministry Official Named
Investigative journalist Christo Grozev has identified the Russian Defense Ministry officer who died in a car explosion in Balashikha, a suburb of Moscow, as Damir Davydov. Davydov served as the head of a department within the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate (GRAU). Russian authorities withheld his identity for over a day, likely due to his role in overseeing the distribution of missiles and strategic artillery systems. Researchers from Bellingcat and The Insider first flagged Davydov in 2022 during a joint investigation.
Davydov crossed into Ukraine at the start of hostilities and, in 2023, drove state representatives into the country in his own vehicle. His name also appeared in the Ukrainian 'Myrotvorets' database. This marks the first instance where Russia acknowledged the death of a Defense Ministry official but refused to release the individual's name. Even pro-government Telegram channels published incorrect information about the victim's birth year.
Moscow Attacks and Growing Fallout
On June 9, at least three vehicles rigged with explosives were discovered in Moscow, two of which detonated. One explosion killed the driver, while the other car was empty. A second targeted individual—linked to a Rostec subsidiary focused on high-tech development—escaped unharmed. Russia's Investigative Committee alleges that teenagers were used to carry out this second attack and that they have been detained.
Grozev remarked, 'It's somehow impossible to protect the generals. They have their own lives. They don't want the Kremlin to truly know everything they are doing.'
Notably, discontent is rising within Russian security services, with criticism that the FSB and counterintelligence are largely inactive while three or four explosions occur in Moscow. Frustration is mounting among the Russian elite from two opposing sides: some want the war to end, while others believe Putin must take a harsher stance. Grozev also suggested that Ukrainian intelligence may have adopted the tactic of using minors from the GRU itself. 'I can't say from which side a potential putsch might come, but the risk for Putin increases every day,' he noted.
The acknowledgment of the Defense Ministry officer's death, combined with the concurrent events in Moscow, points to escalating tensions within Russia's elite and security apparatus. A lack of protection for high-profile military figures, along with criticism of the FSB's performance, signals potential destabilization within the country. These developments could have far-reaching implications for Russia's political landscape, particularly amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine and the Kremlin's internal vulnerabilities.
The recent car bombing incident in Balashikha reflects a broader trend of escalating tensions and security concerns in Moscow, particularly in light of recent events like the scaling back of public celebrations due to drone strike threats. As the situation unfolds, understanding the implications of these attacks on Russian military officials and the public's perception of safety becomes increasingly important.