One of Vladimir Putin’s top military leaders, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, has been killed in an explosion outside his Moscow apartment.
The blast, caused by a bomb reportedly hidden in an electric scooter, also claimed the life of his driver.
The incident has sent shockwaves through Russia, marking yet another assassination in a growing trend targeting high-ranking officials and scientists.
The Incident: A Targeted Blast Outside Kirillov’s Home
Early one morning in Moscow, General Kirillov exited his apartment building alongside his driver.
Moments later, a bomb detonated, tearing through the entrance of the building.
The explosion left windows shattered, the entrance door ripped from its frame, and debris scattered across blood-stained snow.
Photos shared on Russian Telegram channels show the aftermath: a crumbling façade, a damaged vehicle, and two lifeless bodies.
Emergency services quickly arrived on the scene, inspecting what appeared to be the remains of an electric scooter—the suspected hiding spot for the bomb.
Reports indicate the explosive device was remotely triggered and carried the force of around 200 grams of TNT.
Russian authorities are now working to identify the culprit, suspecting the bomber may have been within range to activate the device.
Who Was Igor Kirillov?
Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov served as the head of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defence Troops since 2017.
Known for his central role in developing heavy flamethrower systems like the TOS-2 Tosochka, he was a prominent figure in Russia’s military landscape.
Kirillov had also gained notoriety for his claims about Western “biological weapons programs” in Ukraine, often delivering unsubstantiated accusations about American biolabs and toxic chemical provocations.
His death follows a series of charges by Ukrainian authorities, who accused him of war crimes, including the widespread use of banned chemical weapons during the ongoing conflict.
According to Ukraine’s SBU security service, more than 4,800 incidents of chemical munitions use were documented, leading to thousands of Ukrainian soldiers being hospitalized.
Ukrainian Connection: A Planned Assassination?
While Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility, the timing raises eyebrows.
The explosion occurred just hours after Ukrainian officials publicly charged Kirillov with overseeing the use of chemical irritant agents, deployed via drones to target soldiers in trenches.
The banned agents—CS and CN—are known to cause severe respiratory and eye irritation, driving troops into open fire.
The Ukrainian SBU described this as a war crime and held Kirillov directly accountable.
A Pattern of High-Profile Assassinations
Kirillov’s killing is part of a troubling pattern of recent assassinations targeting key figures in Russia.
Just days before his death:
- Mikhail Shatsky, a missile designer working on the Kh-59 cruise missile, was shot dead.
- Sergey Yevsyukov, a notorious prison head linked to the abuse of Ukrainian POWs, died in a car bombing.
- Captain Valery Trankovsky, a Russian naval commander, was killed in a similar car explosion in Sevastopol.
These incidents suggest an organized effort—likely involving Ukrainian intelligence—to destabilize Russia’s military leadership.
Investigations and Reactions
Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case and is pouring over CCTV footage to identify suspects.
Bomb disposal robots were deployed to the site, and law enforcement suspects the bomber used a remote detonation device.
Meanwhile, Russian officials are blaming Western powers for fueling tensions.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova hailed Kirillov as a fearless patriot who “exposed Anglo-Saxon crimes,” referencing NATO actions in Syria and chemical provocations in Salisbury and Amesbury.
Zakharova added, “For the Motherland, for the truth. Bright memory, God rest his soul.”
What’s Next for Russia?
Kirillov’s death is a significant blow to Russia’s military infrastructure, particularly its specialized forces handling chemical and biological defenses.
The attack also raises serious concerns about Moscow’s internal security and the increasing boldness of external operatives.
As Russia mourns yet another fallen official, the country is left grappling with questions: Who will be targeted next? How will Putin respond? And what impact will this have on the ongoing conflict?
For now, investigations continue as tensions rise both within and outside Russia’s borders.