Ukraine’s intelligence agency, the SBU, has taken responsibility for the assassination of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the chief of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, in Moscow. Kirillov, 54, was killed along with his assistant when a bomb hidden in an electric scooter exploded outside an apartment building on Ryazansky Prospekt in Moscow.
The assassination is seen as a significant blow to Russia’s military leadership and is likely to escalate tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Kirillov was accused by Ukraine of being responsible for the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian troops.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has vowed to avenge Kirillov’s killing, calling it an act of terrorism. Medvedev stated that Russian authorities would find the killers and destroy those responsible in Kyiv.
Kirillov’s killing is the latest in a series of targeted assassinations carried out by Ukraine against Russian military officials and politicians. Russia has denied Ukrainian allegations of using chemical weapons on the battlefield.
The UK had imposed sanctions on Kirillov in October for his alleged involvement in the use of chemical weapons. Kirillov was also listed in a Ukrainian database of individuals considered enemies of the state.
