In a high-profile case that has drawn international attention, Russian authorities have detained a 29-year-old man from Uzbekistan over the assassination of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Forces. The killing occurred early Tuesday outside a residential block in southeastern Moscow.
Uzbek Man Held
According to Russia’s Investigative Committee (SK), an explosive device concealed in an electric scooter was remotely detonated as Kirillov and his assistant, Ilya Polikarpov, exited the building. Both were killed instantly in the powerful blast that damaged the building’s entrance and surrounding area.
Claims of Ukrainian Involvement
Russian officials allege the suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, was recruited by Ukrainian special services. During interrogation, the man reportedly confessed to carrying out the attack in exchange for a promise of $100,000 and a European passport. However, these claims remain unverified, with no evidence provided to substantiate them.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has previously suggested Kirillov was a “legitimate target,” accusing him of war crimes, including the use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. Moscow vehemently denies these allegations. On the day before his death, Ukraine had charged Kirillov in absentia for his role in deploying chemical weapons, which Ukraine’s SBU claims occurred over 4,800 times during his tenure.
Details of the Attack
The explosive device was reportedly prepared by Ukrainian operatives and handed over to the suspect in Moscow. He rented a car equipped with a video camera to monitor Kirillov’s apartment and stream live footage to Ukraine’s city of Dnipro, where the alleged attack organizers were based. The SK claims the bomb was remotely detonated once the general and his assistant emerged from the building.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has released a video showing the suspect’s interrogation. In the footage, the dark-haired man, wearing handcuffs, is seen admitting to the attack, though questions remain about whether his confession was obtained under duress.
International Reactions
The killing marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, 54, is the most senior military official to be assassinated inside Russia since the start of President Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2024.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed President Putin’s condolences, calling Kirillov’s death a tragedy. Meanwhile, Russian officials have vowed swift retribution against those responsible.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced plans to raise the assassination at an upcoming United Nations Security Council meeting, condemning the attack as a terrorist act.
Aftermath
Images from the crime scene reveal the devastation caused by the blast. The entrance to Kirillov’s apartment block was scorched, with several windows shattered and debris scattered across the area. Two body bags were seen lying near the building’s entrance.
While Moscow insists on the suspect’s connections to Ukrainian intelligence, Kyiv has yet to officially respond to these allegations. The incident has further strained relations between the two nations, with both sides trading accusations over alleged war crimes and acts of sabotage.
As investigations continue, the world watches closely to see how this case will impact the already volatile geopolitical landscape.