Ukraine Kills Russian General Igor Kirillov with Scooter Bomb Over Chemical Weapons Allegations

Dec 17, 2024, 02:31 PM

Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed in Moscow on December 17, 2024, alongside his assistant, Major Ilya Polikarpov. The two died when an explosive device concealed in an electric scooter detonated outside an apartment building on Ryazansky Prospekt in a residential area of Moscow. Ukrainian intelligence sources claimed responsibility for the operation, describing Kirillov as a war criminal and a legitimate target due to his alleged involvement in the use of banned chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces. The attack occurred a day after Ukrainian prosecutors charged Kirillov in absentia for war crimes. Kirillov, 54, was the most senior Russian military officer to be assassinated inside Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine. His death has prompted discussions about security measures for Russian military leaders and escalated tensions between Moscow and Kyiv. Russian officials, including Dmitry Medvedev, have vowed retaliation, calling the act terrorism. Kirillov's unit was previously sanctioned by Britain for deploying toxic agents on the battlefield, allegations that Russia has denied.