Russia announced on Wednesday that it had detained a citizen of Uzbekistan who confessed to planting and detonating a bomb that killed Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, a senior Russian military officer, in Moscow. The attack, allegedly orchestrated by Ukraine’s security service (SBU), marks one of the most high-profile assassinations on Russian soil linked to the ongoing conflict.
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Details of the Attack
Lieutenant General Kirillov, chief of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed alongside his assistant outside his Moscow apartment on Tuesday when an explosive device concealed in an electric scooter detonated. The SBU claimed responsibility for the attack, accusing Kirillov of involvement in the alleged use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces—an accusation Moscow denies.
The explosive device, according to investigators, was remotely detonated as Kirillov exited his apartment building. The methodical planning and execution highlight the level of coordination involved in the operation.
Suspect Confesses
Russia's Investigative Committee stated that the detained suspect, an unnamed Uzbek national, admitted to carrying out the bombing under instructions from Ukraine's intelligence services. According to the committee, the suspect had been recruited, trained, and sent to Moscow specifically for the mission.
In a video released by the Baza news outlet, which is known for its connections with Russian law enforcement, the suspect detailed his actions. He described how he traveled to Moscow, purchased an electric scooter, and later received the explosive device. Months of preparation culminated in him setting up a surveillance camera in a rented car near Kirillov’s residence, enabling the alleged masterminds in Ukraine’s Dnipro region to monitor the area remotely.
The suspect, born in 1995, revealed in the video that he had been promised $100,000 and residency in a European country in exchange for the assassination.
Investigative Developments
Russian investigators are actively pursuing others involved in the plot. Local media, including the Kommersant newspaper, reported the detention of a second suspect, though this has not been independently verified.
Authorities emphasized their commitment to identifying all individuals linked to the attack, signaling a broader investigation into the alleged network behind the assassination.
Broader Implications
The killing of Lieutenant General Kirillov, who held a critical position in Russia’s defense hierarchy, underscores the escalating covert operations between Moscow and Kyiv. This incident is the first known case of a Ukrainian-led assassination targeting such a high-ranking military officer inside Russia, further heightening tensions in the ongoing conflict.
The SBU’s claim of responsibility and the suspect’s confession will likely provoke a strong response from Moscow, as the Kremlin intensifies its efforts to secure its internal borders and counter external threats.
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