In a shocking development, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, chief of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, was assassinated in Moscow on Tuesday morning. The attack was orchestrated by Ukraine’s SBU intelligence service, making it the most high-profile killing of a Russian military officer on Russian soil by Ukraine.
Details of the Assassination
The assassination occurred outside an apartment building on Ryazansky Prospekt in Moscow. A bomb, hidden inside an electric scooter, was detonated as Kirillov and his assistant exited the building. Both were killed instantly in the blast, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee. The SBU confirmed their involvement, with a source calling the operation the “liquidation” of Kirillov.
Background of Igor Kirillov and His Role
Igor Kirillov was responsible for leading Russia’s nuclear, biological, and chemical protection troops, a specialized division tasked with managing radioactive, chemical, and biological contamination. He was also known for his role in accusing Ukraine and the West of violating chemical weapon protocols. He had previously been sanctioned by the UK for his alleged involvement in using toxic agents like chloropicrin on the battlefield.
Reactions and Security Implications
The killing of Igor Kirillov is expected to have major security implications for Russian military leaders. Russia has vowed revenge for the assassination, and former President Dmitry Medvedev warned of imminent retaliation against Ukraine’s political and military leadership. This targeted killing follows a string of similar incidents since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Ukraine’s Targeted Assassination Strategy
Ukraine has consistently targeted high-ranking Russian figures it deems responsible for war crimes. Igor Kirillov was charged by Ukrainian prosecutors in absentia with the use of banned chemical weapons. His name was also included in the Myrotvorets database, a list of individuals considered enemies of Ukraine.
While Russia condemns these attacks as terrorism, Ukraine maintains that such actions are legitimate due to Russia’s ongoing military aggression and war crimes.
