Top Russian general killed in 'car bomb attack' in Moscow as Vladimir Putin points finger at Ukraine

Mr Sarvarov, who was serving as head of the armed forces' operational training department, reportedly suffered "multiple shrapnel injuries" and a "fractured facial bone".

The car bomb explosion, which ripped through his Kia Sorento, occurred in a car park near an apartment building as Mr Sarvarov prepared for his commute to work.

Witnesses said emergency services rushed to assist Mr Sarvarov in the Yasenevo district of Moscow.

Extensive efforts were made to free the high-ranking general from his vehicle.

Photographs from the scene showed Mr Sarvarov's silver car had been destroyed, with debris surrounding the vehicle.

One of the car doors had been completely blown off, while the engine had been left exposed by the blast.

The dashboard of the vehicle was left destroyed, an airbag appeared to have gone off and the seats had been jolted out of position.

Another vehicle at the car park also appeared to sustain damage following the car bomb attack.

"At first, we thought a drone had been shot down," a local said.

"There was an explosion, but there was no fire."

Vladimir Putin's investigators are now exploring a theory that Ukrainian intelligence services were involved in the attack.

Svetlana Petrenko, the official spokeswoman 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."

​The Kremlin just last week accused Ukraine of killing one of the masterminds behind Russia's Novichok attack in Salisbury following a drone strike in the Mediterranean.

Andrey Averyanov was reportedly aboard the vessel Qendil in neutral international waters roughly 2,000 kilometres from Ukrainian territory.

Ukrainian intelligence services were also accused of assassinating other senior figures in Russia.

Igor Kirillov, who was in charge of Russia's radiation, chemical and biological defence troops, was killed in a blast as he left his apartment building for work.

Major-General Yaroslav Moskalik, 58, also died when a Volkswagen Golf burst into flames as he walked past his residence in Moscow in April last year.

Despite Donald Trump pushing for a peace deal to end Russia's war with Ukraine, a top Kremlin official has rejected the latest amendments to a ceasefire plan.

Yuri Ushakov, who played a key role in drafting the original plan, said: "I am sure that the proposals that the Europeans and Ukrainians have made or are trying to make definitely do not improve the document and do not improve the possibility of achieving long-term peace."

However, Mr Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said: "Our shared priority is to stop the killing, ensure guaranteed security, and create conditions for Ukraine's recovery, stability, and long-term prosperity."