Russia's Chief General reportedly assassinated in Moscow, according to Ukraine, for allegedly overseeing chemical weapons atrocities
In a Major Escalation, High-Profile Russian General Met His Demise
MOSCOW, Russia - In the most noteworthy assassination yet, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, a top Russian military officer, was brutally murdered in Moscow on December 17, 2024. The primary suspect behind this high-stakes hit? Ukraine's SBU intelligence service. [Source: Reuters]
Kirillov, the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed along with his assistant as they exited an apartment building. The cause of death? A bomb hidden in an electric scooter, according to Russia's Investigative Committee, which probes serious crimes.
The SBU confirmed their involvement to Reuters, stating, "The liquidation of the chief of the radiation and chemical protection troops of the Russian Federation is the work of the SBU." [Source: Reuters]
The assassination took place in broad daylight on Ryazansky Prospekt, leaving a devastating scene of shattered building entrances, blackened bricks, and two bodies covered by black plastic sheets on the snow. [Source: Reuters]
The perpetrators of the murder will likely face serious repercussions. Dmitry Medvedev, a senior Russian security official and former president, warned of imminent revenge for Kirillov's death. [Source: RIA]
Moscow has long held Ukraine responsible for a series of high-profile assassinations on Russian soil. Ukraine, on the other hand, regards such assassinations as a legitimate tactic amidst what it sees as an existential threat posed by Russia's ongoing war. [Source: Reuters]
Igor Kirillov: A Fierce Defender of the Motherland
Kirillov, married with two sons, was often seen on state TV defending Russia against Ukrainian accusations of chemical weapon use and NBA tabloids. [Source: BBC] His tenure was marked by his unwavering commitment to "the Motherland." [Source: RT]
It's worth noting that the UK imposed sanctions on Kirillov and his forces in October 2024, accusing them of using riot control agents and toxic choking agents like chloropicrin on the battlefield. [Source: BBC]
Kirillov was also listed in a database maintained by Myrotvorets, an unofficial Ukrainian database of individuals deemed enemies of Ukraine. On the day of the assassination, Kirillov's photograph on the site was overlaid with the ominous message, "Liquidated." [Source: BBC]
The ongoing assassinations, including the murder of Darya Dugina, the daughter of Russian nationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin, pro-war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky, and a Russian submarine commander accused of war crimes by Kyiv, have raised concerns about the escalating nature of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Despite the ongoing investigations, it remains unclear whether these targeted attacks will lead to a broader conflict or a de-escalation in tensions. Only time will tell the full implications of these dramatic events. [Sources: Reuters, BBC, RT]
The assassination of Igor Kirillov, a high-ranking Russian military officer, has once again brought war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice to the forefront of general-news and politics, as the SBU intelligence service of Ukraine has been accused of being involved in his murder. The escalating series of targeted attacks between Russia and Ukraine, including the recent assassinations of Darya Dugina, Vladlen Tatarsky, and a Russian submarine commander, has raised serious concerns about the potential for further escalation or de-escalation in the ongoing conflict.
