Russian authorities have reported that a bomb attack has been carried out in Moscow, resulting in the assassination of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, who died outside his apartment in the blast. Ukraine has taken credit for the blast, revealing it carried out the targeted assassination of a high-level target in the heart of Russia.
Although it was clear the bombing was carried out by an intelligence service, Ukrainian officials have now said the killing was a special operation conducted by the Security Service of Ukraine.
On Tuesday morning, an explosive device fatally injured Kiriloov, who led the radiation, chemical, and biological defense teams of the Russian armed forces. The Russian general was leaving his apartment when the device, which was planted inside a nearby parked scooter, exploded.
Photos of the general and the scene of the explosion were posted on X.
Russian Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of the military's radiation, chemical, and biological defense forces, and his assistant, were killed in a Moscow explosion. Residents say the explosion occurred as men exited the building, suspecting a scooter nearby was rigged with… pic.twitter.com/t3OrupV5Zm
— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) December 17, 2024
Kirillov is not an unknown name, as he has reported on events in the war, including alleged biological and chemical warfare activities conducted by Ukraine and its NATO allies. According to the Russian state media TASS, he attended the Kostroma Higher Military Command School of Chemical Defense and served in various positions in the Russian army related to hazardous materials.
He was indicted in absentia by Ukrainian authorities for the use of banned chemical weapons in Kyiv, as the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claim that he was responsible for some 4,800 chemical weapons attacks in Ukraine. In October, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Lt. Gen. Kirillov.
Several sources have not yet confirmed that Kirillov was indeed targeted, but the Russian Gazeta has shared details about the explosion. The Russian publication reports that the incident occurred near a cafe, and the force of the explosion broke windows up to the third floor. Not only did the lieutenant-general die in the action, at least one other person also died as a result of the detonation, but his identity has not been disclosed.
Based on the reports, unknown individuals may have installed a remotely controlled explosive device on a nearby scooter.
This method suggests that the Russian military leader was killed in a sophisticated operation. It has since been revealed that a total of 300 grams of explosives were placed in the electric scooter. This amount can break windows from a distance of 17 meters and even damage brick walls from 1.3 meters.
Authorities are still investigating the scene, and further details will likely be released over the coming days.
