Uzbek Man Confesses to Assassination of Top Russian General
In a shocking turn of events, Russia announced on Wednesday that they had detained an Uzbek man who had confessed to planting and detonating a bomb that killed a top general, Igor Kirillov, in Moscow. The suspect claimed he carried out the attack on the instructions of Ukraine’s SBU security service.
General Kirillov, who led Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, tragically lost his life outside his apartment building when a bomb hidden in an electric scooter exploded. This incident marks the assassination of the highest-ranking Russian military officer in Russia by Ukraine.
Ukraine’s SBU intelligence service claimed responsibility for the killing, citing Kirillov’s alleged involvement in the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops, a claim denied by Moscow.
The Russian Investigative Committee revealed that the unnamed suspect admitted to coming to Moscow to carry out the attack at the behest of Ukraine’s intelligence services. In a video released by the Baza news outlet, the suspect is seen detailing his role in the assassination.
Dressed in a winter coat, the suspect confessed to receiving instructions from Ukraine, purchasing an electric scooter, and setting up an improvised explosive device outside Kirillov’s residence. The suspect mentioned that Ukraine offered him $100,000 and residency in a European country for his actions.
While the investigation is ongoing, authorities are working to identify other individuals involved in the plot. Reports suggest that another suspect has been apprehended, although this has not been independently verified.
International Response and Implications
Moscow has vowed to address the assassination at an upcoming session of the United Nations Security Council. Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, condemned the attack and vowed to hold all perpetrators accountable.
The United States and the United Kingdom have distanced themselves from the incident, with the US State Department denying any involvement or prior knowledge. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized Kirillov for his role in the conflict in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has not publicly commented on the assassination, has faced accusations of aggression towards Ukraine. Moscow and Kyiv have been embroiled in a conflict marked by violence and targeted attacks.
As tensions escalate between Russia and Ukraine, the international community watches closely to see how the situation unfolds. The assassination of General Kirillov serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing hostilities and the human cost of the conflict.
