On 17 December 2024, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, was assassinated in Moscow. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claimed responsibility for the operation, marking a significant escalation in targeted attacks amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The attack occurred outside Kirillov's residence on Ryazansky Prospekt in Moscow. As Kirillov and his assistant exited the building, a bomb concealed within an electric scooter detonated, killing both men instantly. The explosion caused substantial damage to the surrounding area, shattering windows and damaging the building's entrance.
The SBU confirmed its involvement in the assassination, describing Kirillov as a legitimate target due to his alleged role in deploying chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces. An SBU source stated, "The liquidation of the chief of the radiation and chemical protection troops of the Russian Federation is the work of the SBU."
Russian officials condemned the assassination, labeling it an act of terrorism. Former President Dmitry Medvedev, now a senior security official, vowed retaliation, stating, "Law enforcement agencies must find the killers in Russia. Everything must be done to destroy the masterminds who are in Kyiv." The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) arrested a 29-year-old Uzbek national, alleging he was recruited by Ukrainian intelligence to carry out the attack.
The United States denied any involvement in the assassination. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, "The United States was not aware of it in advance and was not involved." He also condemned Kirillov's actions, noting his involvement in chemical weapons use against Ukrainian forces.
Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, 54, led Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops since 2017. He was accused by Ukraine and Western nations of overseeing the use of banned chemical agents, such as chloropicrin, against Ukrainian soldiers—a violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The UK and Canada had imposed sanctions on him for these actions.
Kirillov's assassination represents the most high-profile killing of a Russian military official inside Russia since the conflict's escalation in February 2022. It underscores Ukraine's capability and willingness to conduct targeted operations beyond its borders, potentially altering the security dynamics for Russian officials. The incident has heightened tensions, with Russia promising retribution and Ukraine signaling its intent to hold Russian military leaders accountable for actions in the ongoing war.
Image: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation/Wikimedia Commons
Comments