Suspect arrested in Moscow for assassination of Russian General Igor Kirillov
Russian authorities have apprehended a 29-year-old Uzbek national in connection with the assassination of Russian General Igor Kirillov, a senior figure in the country’s armed forces. Kirillov, who led the Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed on Tuesday in Moscow when a remotely detonated explosive device hidden in an electric scooter went off near a residential building. The suspect reportedly admitted during questioning that he had been recruited by Ukrainian intelligence and was paid $100,000 to execute the high-profile operation.
The attack, which has drawn significant media attention, occurred in the early morning hours as Kirillov exited a building on Ryazansky Prospekt. The explosion also killed Kirillov’s driver, severely damaged nearby property, and shattered windows in the vicinity. Russian media outlets described the attack as meticulously planned, with the perpetrator allegedly using a surveillance camera in the residential complex to monitor the general’s movements and detonate the device at a precise moment.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has claimed responsibility, describing Kirillov as a legitimate target due to his alleged role in directing chemical weapons operations in Ukraine. The Russian government has responded with outrage, calling the assassination an act of terrorism.
Geopolitical tensions and accusations
The assassination has escalated tensions between Moscow and Kyiv. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, labeled the attack an attempt by Ukraine to divert attention from military setbacks and warned of “inevitable retaliatory measures.” Russian commentators and military bloggers have speculated about external involvement, including unfounded claims of U.S. complicity, though Washington has categorically denied any knowledge or participation.
This incident highlights the growing intensity of covert operations amid the broader Russia-Ukraine conflict, underscoring the volatile geopolitical landscape and its potential global repercussions.
