Russia Detains Uzbek Man in Connection with General’s Assassination in Moscow
MOSCOW — Russian authorities have detained a 29-year-old Uzbek national in connection with the killing of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Forces, and his assistant in an apparent targeted attack in Moscow.
Explosive Attack Outside Residential Block
Kirillov, 54, and his assistant, Ilya Polikarpov, were killed early Tuesday when an explosive device concealed in an electric scooter detonated near the entrance of their apartment building in southeastern Moscow. Russia’s Investigative Committee (SK) described the attack as a remotely activated terrorist act.
According to investigators, the suspect, whose name has not been disclosed, admitted during interrogation to being recruited by Ukrainian special services. Officials claim the man had monitored the location by renting a car equipped with a video camera to livestream footage to organizers in Ukraine’s city of Dnipro.
When Kirillov and Polikarpov exited the building, the suspect allegedly triggered the explosive device, killing both men instantly.
Ukraine’s Alleged Involvement
Ukraine’s security service (SBU) has reportedly claimed responsibility for the assassination, labeling Kirillov a “legitimate target” for his alleged involvement in war crimes, including the mass use of banned chemical weapons. Ukraine charged Kirillov in absentia a day before the attack, though Moscow denies the allegations.
Kirillov had been sanctioned by the UK for his alleged role in chemical weapons deployment in Ukraine, accusations Russia has dismissed, asserting that its chemical weapons stockpile was destroyed in 2017.
Suspect’s Confession Raises Questions
The Federal Security Service (FSB) released a video showing the suspect confessing to the attack. In the footage, the handcuffed man claimed he had been offered $100,000 and a European passport in exchange for carrying out the assassination. It remains unclear if the confession was made under duress.
International and Domestic Repercussions
Kirillov’s assassination marks the highest-profile killing of a Russian military figure inside the country since President Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The incident has prompted outrage in Moscow, with officials vowing to hold all parties involved accountable.
On Wednesday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced plans to bring the matter before the United Nations Security Council on Friday.
Images from the scene revealed significant damage to the building’s entrance, including scorch marks, shattered windows, and body bags outside the apartment block.
Broader Implications
The attack underscores escalating tensions as Ukraine continues to strike within Russian territory. Russian authorities have pledged to uncover the full scope of the operation, raising concerns about further security vulnerabilities and retaliatory measures.
The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities seeking to determine the extent of foreign involvement in the plot.
