A deadly explosion near a residential building in Moscow claims the life of a high-ranking Russian military official, intensifying tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
According to The Washington Post, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's nuclear, biological, and chemical defense forces, and his assistant were killed on Tuesday morning when an explosive device attached to a parked scooter detonated in Moscow.
The Ukrainian official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the operation, confirmed that Ukraine's domestic security service (SBU) was behind the attack.
The official justified the action by citing Kirillov's involvement in ordering the use of banned chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces during Russia's ongoing invasion.
The explosion contained explosives comparable to those used in the 2010 Moscow metro suicide bombings, which resulted in 40 deaths and 80 injuries, according to the Russian state-run outlet Tass. Russia's Investigative Committee has launched a criminal investigation into the incident, though they have not publicly identified any suspects.
Kirillov's death marks a significant blow to Russia's military leadership, as he becomes the highest-ranking Russian military official killed outside the front lines since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
This incident follows the recent death of Capt. Valery Trankovsky, commander of the 41st brigade of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, died in a car explosion in Crimea's Sevastopol.
The timing of Kirillov's death is particularly notable, coming just one week after the reported death of a top Russian cruise missile engineer in Moscow who had been instrumental in developing missiles used in the Ukraine war.
Kirillov had been leading Russia's nuclear, biological, and chemical defense forces since April 2017, building on his earlier experience as a platoon commander in the Soviet Western Group of Forces in Germany. His unit faced international sanctions after evidence emerged of chemical weapons use in Ukraine.
The U.S. State Department sanctioned Kirillov's unit in May after confirming the use of chloropicrin, a World War I-era choking agent, against Ukrainian troops. This action violated Moscow's commitments under the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention. Britain, Canada, and New Zealand also imposed sanctions on Kirillov for his role in deploying chemical weapons and spreading disinformation.
Russian officials praised Kirillov's service following his death, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stating that he had "worked fearlessly." Defense Committee Chairman Andrey Kartapolov called him a "dignified Russian general" who commanded respect within his organization.
Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov's death in Moscow marks a significant escalation in Ukraine's campaign against high-ranking Russian military officials. The explosion that killed him and his assistant demonstrates Ukraine's capability to conduct precise operations deep within Russian territory.
The incident highlights the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, particularly regarding the use of chemical weapons and military tactics. As investigations continue, the assassination of such a high-ranking official may lead to increased tensions and potential retaliation from Russian forces.
