Russia’s top Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection commander, Igor Kirillov, has reportedly died in an explosion in Moscow, sparking significant controversy. Accused by Western nations of overseeing the employment of chemical weapons in Ukraine, Kirillov was viewed domestically as a staunch patriot dedicated to exposing perceived Western aggression.
Sources from Ukraine’s SBU security service claim responsibility for the blast, labeling it a targeted operation against a “war criminal.” Reports indicate that Kirillov, along with an aide, was killed by explosives concealed in an electric scooter as he exited his residence on Ryazansky Prospekt in southeastern Moscow.
Kirillov was recognized for his assertive briefings at the Russian defense ministry, which led the UK Foreign Office to designate him as a prominent purveyor of Kremlin disinformation. Prior to leading the radiation troops, he served as the head of Russia’s Timoshenko Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Academy, assuming leadership of the military’s specialized troops in 2017.
His unit’s primary functions included identifying environmental hazards and protecting military forces from contamination. Furthermore, the defense ministry outlined that the unit is tasked with inflicting casualties on the enemy using incendiary methods.
The UK Foreign Office accused Kirillov’s forces of employing “barbaric chemical weapons” in Ukraine, citing widespread reports of toxic agents, including chloropicrin, utilized against Ukrainian positions. Just ahead of his demise, the SBU announced that Kirillov had been implicated in a criminal investigation for the extensive use of banned chemical armaments on Ukraine’s eastern and southern fronts during the ongoing conflict.
Officials estimated over 4,800 incidents of chemical weapons used by Russian forces since the escalation of hostilities began in February 2022, including toxic substances deployed in drone attacks and combat grenades.
Kirillov became infamous during the initial stages of the war for his controversial statements directed at Ukraine and the West, all lacking factual support. Among his most egregious claims was the assertion that the U.S. had been establishing biological weapons labs in Ukraine—an allegation used to justify Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Despite the skepticism surrounding his claims, Kirillov’s rhetoric continued, often accusing Ukraine of pursuing the development of “dirty bombs.” He consistently asserted that Ukraine was violating international chemical weapons regulations with the aid of foreign governments.
His shocking death has left a significant impact on the Russian military and political spheres, with members of parliament observing a moment of silence in his honor. Prominent figures described his passing as an “irreparable loss” and warned that retaliation would ensue. There are concerns among pro-Kremlin circles that this incident demonstrates Ukraine’s capacity to execute high-profile attacks within Russia, with some commentators suggesting foreign spies may be involved.
