Top Putin general Igor Kirillov killed in mysterious blast outside his home
- A bomb hidden in an electric scooter killed Igor Kirillov, chief of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Forces, and his assistant in Moscow.
- The Ukrainian Security Service claimed responsibility for the assassination, which occurred shortly after criminal charges were brought against Kirillov for using chemical weapons in Ukraine.
- This marks a significant moment in the conflict, highlighting the increasing intensity and targeted nature of operations between Ukraine and Russia.
On December 17, 2024, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Forces, was killed in an explosion in Moscow. The bomb, which was hidden in an electric scooter, detonated as Kirillov was leaving his apartment, killing him and his assistant. This assassination was rapidly attributed to Ukraine's Security Service, the SBU, which claimed responsibility a day after Ukrainian prosecutors charged Kirillov in absentia for overseeing the use of banned chemical weapons in the conflict against Ukraine. Kirillov had been under sanctions from multiple countries, including the UK and Canada, due to his role in alleged chemical weapon usage in Ukraine. The Ukrainian government indicated that this act of assassination was part of a broader strategy in ongoing military operations against Russia, highlighting Kirillov's designation as a war criminal by Ukrainian authorities due to documented instances of chemical weapon usage under his command during the ongoing war. His death represents a significant escalation in the conflict, marking one of the highest-profile attacks on Russian military personnel within the country since the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. The operational aspect of the assassination, involving a remotely detonated explosive device, signifies an advanced level of intelligence and planning within the Ukrainian military framework. Following the assassination, Russian authorities have initiated an investigation, treating the incident as a terrorist act. The Kremlin has condemned this killing as an unacceptable act of aggression and has promised retaliation against those responsible. Amidst the rising tensions, the incident raises questions about security and the potential for further targeted actions as the conflict persists in intensifying. The implications of Kirillov's assassination extend beyond immediate revenge sentiments from Russia, as it could lead to heightened security measures and potentially escalatory responses from both sides in the already volatile situation.