Bomb Explosion Kills Top Russian General in Moscow Amid Escalating Accusations of Chemical Weapons Use in Ukraine
A bomb blast in Moscow has killed Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia’s Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defence Forces, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
The explosive, concealed in an electric scooter, detonated outside an apartment building on Ryazansky Prospekt, claiming the lives of Kirillov and his assistant.
According to Russia’s Investigative Committee, the device had an estimated capacity of 300 grams in TNT equivalent. Images shared on Russian Telegram channels showed debris strewn across a shattered building entrance and two bodies lying in blood-stained snow.
Reuters footage from the scene revealed a heavy police presence, and a criminal investigation is now underway.
Kirillov’s death comes just a day after Ukrainian prosecutors charged him in absentia for allegedly deploying banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. Kyiv’s Security Service (SBU) accused him of involvement in over 4,800 instances of chemical weapons use since February 2022, including K-1 combat grenades and choking agents like chloropicrin. Russia has consistently denied these allegations.
In October, the United Kingdom sanctioned Kirillov and his forces for reported battlefield use of riot control agents and toxic chemicals.
Russia’s radioactive, chemical, and biological defence forces specialize in operating under hazardous contamination conditions. Kirillov’s death marks a significant blow to Russia’s strategic military operations.
The nearly three-year conflict has seen Moscow claim steady territorial advances, controlling roughly one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory.
Join our Channel...