Senior Russian General Assassinated in Moscow Bombing; Ukraine Accused of Orchestrating Attack

Russia announced Wednesday that it had detained a citizen of Uzbekistan who confessed to planting and detonating a bomb that killed Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov in Moscow. Kirillov, the head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed Tuesday alongside his assistant when an explosive device concealed in an electric scooter detonated outside his apartment building.

The suspect, whose name has not been disclosed, reportedly admitted to acting on the orders of Ukraine’s intelligence services. According to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) and Investigative Committee, the Uzbek-born man, born in 1995, traveled to Moscow to execute the assassination. In a video released by the Baza news outlet, the suspect described purchasing an electric scooter, attaching the bomb, and surveilling Kirillov’s apartment using a camera installed in a rental car. He then remotely detonated the device when Kirillov exited the building.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) claimed responsibility for the assassination, stating that Kirillov was involved in the use of banned chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops—an allegation Moscow denies. Kirillov, 54, had been under international sanctions, including from the U.K. and Canada, for his alleged role in chemical attacks during Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.

Coordinated Attack Allegedly Planned in Ukraine

The suspect confessed to being recruited by Ukrainian intelligence and promised a reward of $100,000 and residency in a European Union country for completing the mission. He reportedly received the bomb after arriving in Moscow, placed it on the electric scooter, and strategically parked it near Kirillov’s residence. The camera he installed live-streamed footage to handlers in Dnipro, Ukraine, who monitored the scene before giving the order to detonate.

Russia’s Investigative Committee described the killing as a “terrorist act” and vowed to bring all involved to justice. Kommersant newspaper reported that another suspect has been detained, though details remain unconfirmed.

High-Profile Target

Kirillov was the most senior Russian military officer to be assassinated within Russia, marking a significant escalation in covert operations attributed to Ukraine. His role in the military’s defense efforts and high-profile accusations against Kyiv for alleged chemical and radioactive attacks made him a key target.

While Ukraine and its allies dismissed Kirillov’s accusations as propaganda, his death has intensified Moscow’s rhetoric against Kyiv. The FSB announced that the detained suspect faces potential life imprisonment and emphasized ongoing efforts to identify additional individuals involved in the plot.

The attack has drawn sharp condemnation from Russian officials, who vowed severe consequences for Ukraine. Images from the blast site showed extensive damage, including shattered windows and scorched walls, underscoring the devastating nature of the attack.

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