A top Russian general was killed after bomb explosion outside a Moscow apartment building, an attack which was later claimed Ukraine's security serivce. Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia’s nuclear, biological, and chemical protection forces, was assassinated as he left his residence for work.
The deadly incident occurred at approximately 6:12 am, with surveillance footage showing two men leaving the building moments before the explosion ripped through the area. The bomb, concealed in a scooter parked near the entrance, was remotely detonated, according to Russian media reports. The blast shattered nearby windows and scorched the surrounding brickwork, creating a scene of chaos.
Kirillov, 54, was killed instantly, along with his assistant, who was accompanying him. The timing of the assassination is notable, as it followed Ukraine’s announcement of criminal charges against Kirillov the previous day. The SBU accused him of directing the use of banned chemical weapons during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
An SBU official, speaking with news agency AP, described Kirillov as a “war criminal and an entirely legitimate target.” The agency also released footage purportedly capturing the bombing. Moscow, meanwhile, labelled the killing an act of terrorism and vowed retribution against Ukraine. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, framed the attack as an attempt by Kyiv to deflect from its military struggles, warning of “inevitable retribution” against Ukraine’s leadership.
Who was Igor Kirillov?
- Position: Chief of Russia’s nuclear, biological, and chemical protection forces since 2017.
- Sanctions: Under sanctions from the UK, Canada, and other nations for his involvement in Russia’s war in Ukraine.
- Accusations: Accused by Ukraine of overseeing the use of banned chemical weapons, with over 4,800 instances of alleged chemical attacks recorded by the SBU since 2022.
- Propaganda Role: Frequently conducted briefings accusing Ukraine of chemical and radioactive attacks, claims dismissed as disinformation by Western allies.
Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched a probe into Kirillov’s assassination, with authorities considering it a case of terrorism.
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