An explosive device planted near a residential apartment block in Moscow resulted in the tragic deaths of Lt. General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces, and his assistant. The bomb, placed in a scooter, was triggered remotely, causing the fatal blast, as reported by Russian state news agency Tass.
The Investigative Committee of Russia has initiated a case into the incident to uncover the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Kirillov and his assistant. Investigators, forensic experts, and operational services are actively working at the scene to gather evidence and information.
Kirillov had recently been charged by Ukraine’s Security Services for the alleged use of banned chemical weapons during Russia’s military operation in Ukraine that began in February 2022. The SBU claimed over 4,800 instances of chemical weapons use on the battlefield, including K-1 combat grenades. The US State Department also confirmed the use of chloropicrin, a chemical weapon dating back to World War I, against Ukrainian troops.
Despite facing sanctions from various countries such as the UK and Canada for his involvement in the conflict in Ukraine, Kirillov was appointed as the head of Russia’s nuclear defense forces in 2017. Russia has steadily gained territory in Ukraine over the course of the operation, controlling nearly one-fifth of the country.
The tragic incident in Moscow serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing tensions and violence in the region, highlighting the devastating consequences of warfare and the use of prohibited weapons. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this senseless act of violence.
