Reports have surfaced that Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) was behind the assassination of Russian General Igor Kirillov. The killing, which took place in southeastern Moscow on Tuesday, has sparked intense reactions and intrigue worldwide.
General Kirillov was the commander of Russia’s Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense Forces, and was reportedly killed in a blast, along with his aide. The explosion is said to have been hidden inside the handlebar of an electric scooter, which was remotely detonated. The murder took place just hours after Kirillov was accused by Ukraine of being linked to the use of chemical weapons on the battlefield—a claim that Moscow has strongly denied.
Multiple major media outlets, including Reuters, the BBC, and Ukrainian news sources, have quoted anonymous sources in the SBU, who describe Kirillov as a “war criminal” and claim he was a legitimate target for assassination. The sources have also said that the killing is part of Ukraine’s broader strategy against Russian leaders.
Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s deputy security chief, has lashed out, calling the murder a desperate act by Ukraine. He suggests that the Ukrainian government is trying to justify its continued existence and prolong the war by carrying out such extreme actions. Medvedev’s comments also hinted that Russia would hold the Ukrainian leaders accountable for their involvement.
Kirillov, who took charge of Russia’s chemical defense forces in 2017, had been very vocal about his investigations into alleged Ukrainian use of chemical weapons against Russian troops. He had also reported on the supposed involvement of American labs in Ukraine, which he claimed were conducting biological warfare research.
This assassination adds to a series of similar events that have unfolded in the ongoing conflict. Ukraine has been accused of running an assassination program targeting Russian officials and others it deems enemies. Meanwhile, Russia has been accusing Ukraine of using terrorism as a tactic due to its military setbacks. Ukrainian officials, however, have defended their actions, labeling them as part of the struggle to defend their country against Russia’s aggression.
The tragic end of General Kirillov has sparked new debates about the lengths both countries are willing to go to in this brutal war. With tensions already at an all-time high, this assassination seems to mark yet another dark chapter in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
