Russia’s security service has announced the arrest of a 29-year-old man from Uzbekistan in connection with the assassination of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the head of the Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Defence Forces (NBC), and his assistant in Moscow. The incident occurred early Tuesday when an explosive device concealed in an electric scooter was detonated remotely as Kirillov exited a residential building.
The Russian security service alleges that the suspect was recruited by Ukrainian intelligence to carry out the attack. Ukrainian sources have previously asserted responsibility for the killing, labeling Kirillov as “a legitimate target” due to his purported involvement in war crimes.
On the preceding day, Ukraine formally charged Kirillov, who was 54 years old, in absentia, for his role in the alleged widespread use of banned chemical weapons — a claim that Russia has categorically denied.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) stated that the detained individual is suspected of conducting a terrorist act and disclosed that he indicated during interrogation that he was approached by Ukrainian special services. The FSB further claimed that the suspect had been promised a reward of $100,000 and a chance to relocate to the European Union for his actions.
According to the FSB, the suspect arrived in Moscow on instructions from Ukraine, where he obtained a homemade explosive device. He then placed the device on an electric scooter near Kirillov’s residence and monitored the location using a rented car equipped with a livestream camera that transmitted video to handlers in Ukraine. Upon observing Kirillov leave the building, the suspect initiated the explosion.
Kirillov’s assassination marks a significant escalation, as he is believed to be the highest-ranking military figure killed within Russia since the onset of the Ukraine conflict nearly three years ago. Previously, Kirillov had been sanctioned by the UK for alleged chemical weapon use in Ukraine, with Ukrainian intelligence claiming over 4,800 incidents under his command. In response to these events, images from the scene have surfaced, revealing severe damage to the building’s entrance and two body bags placed on the street.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced plans to address the assassination at the upcoming United Nations Security Council meeting. Russian officials have vowed to identify and bring to justice those responsible for the attack.
