The assassination of a senior Russian general through a bombing near his apartment in Moscow was the most daring attack yet on a high-ranking military officer and once again brought the conflict in Ukraine to the streets of the capital. Here are some key details about the incident and the suspected individuals involved:
What occurred?
On Tuesday morning, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov was killed by a bomb hidden on an electric scooter placed near the entrance of his apartment building in southeastern Moscow as he was leaving for work. Kirillov’s assistant also lost his life in the explosion. The bomb was activated remotely, as reported by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). A video captured the moment of the explosion, showing the men exiting the building and the ensuing blast.
Who were the victims?
Kirillov, aged 54, served as the head of Russia’s Radiation, Biological, and Chemical Protection Forces, responsible for safeguarding the military from the potential use of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons and ensuring operations in contaminated areas. He had been sanctioned by several countries, including the U.K. and Canada, for his involvement in Moscow’s actions in the Ukrainian conflict. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) initiated a criminal investigation against Kirillov, accusing him of overseeing the deployment of prohibited chemical weapons. Despite Russia’s denial of using such weapons in Ukraine and its counter-accusations against Kyiv, Kirillov had been vocal in implicating the Ukrainian military in utilizing toxic agents and planning attacks with radioactive materials. His assistant, Ilya Polikarpov, was also a victim of the attack.
Who claimed responsibility?
An official from the SBU claimed responsibility for the attack, referring to Kirillov as a “war criminal” and a legitimate target. The official, speaking anonymously due to authorization constraints, shared the bombing video as evidence.
Who has been apprehended?
The FSB announced the arrest of a suspect linked to the attack, without disclosing the individual’s identity. Described as a citizen of Uzbekistan born in 1995, the suspect allegedly confessed to being recruited by Ukrainian intelligence services. The FSB stated that the suspect was promised $100,000 and relocation to an EU country in exchange for assassinating Kirillov. Following instructions from Ukraine, the suspect traveled to Moscow, obtained a makeshift bomb, placed it on an e-scooter near Kirillov’s residence, monitored the location using a rented vehicle, and live-streamed the scene to his handlers in Dnipro, Ukraine. The bomb was detonated when Kirillov departed the building. Potential consequences for the suspect include a life sentence.
What remains unknown?
Apart from withholding the suspect’s identity, the FSB has not disclosed details regarding the recruitment process. The suspect was apprehended in a village in the Moscow region, as per the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Official Irina Volk, who was quoted by the Tass news agency, indicated that the whereabouts of the individual implicated in the incident remain unknown at present, as well as the timing of their court appearance. It is anticipated that further details regarding the terms of the individual’s pre-trial detention will emerge in the upcoming days. According to Russian law, an individual can be detained for a maximum of 48 hours before a court order is issued.
Regarding the stance taken by Russia on the attack, Russian officials have labeled the bombing as a “terrorist act.” The Kremlin, on Wednesday, asserted that it was evident that Ukraine was involved in the killing of Kirillov. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson, stated that Kyiv is resorting to terrorist methods without hesitation. Although President Vladimir Putin himself has not publicly addressed the attack, Peskov conveyed Putin’s condolences on the demise of Kirillov.
Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, characterized the attack as a ploy by Kyiv to divert attention from its military setbacks, affirming that the top military-political figures in Ukraine will face the consequences of their actions. Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the lower house of parliament, paid tribute to Kirillov as a skilled military officer, an intellectual, and a staunch Russian patriot. Volodin highlighted Kirillov’s contributions to bolstering the capabilities of Russia’s defense forces against radiation, chemical, and biological threats, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the nation’s security and sovereignty.
Illia Novikov contributed to this report from Kyiv, Ukraine.
