An elaborate assassination operation reportedly involved hiding explosives in an electric scooter, detonated remotely to kill Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, marking a significant blow to Russia’s military hierarchy. His death is seen as the highest-profile killing of a military official since the onset of the full-scale invasion.
The incident has sent shockwaves through Russia’s military and political circles, with unnamed sources from Ukraine’s security service claiming responsibility.
This assassination highlights a growing trend of Ukrainian operations targeting Russian military officials, demonstrating advancements in Ukrainian intelligence capabilities, especially with high-profile targets now being reached beyond the combat zone.
The choice of a scooter for the attack was particularly astute, as they are commonly found abandoned on Moscow’s streets and attract minimal attention. The precision of the timing for the detonation, coinciding with Gen. Kirillov’s departure from his residence, indicates that the attackers must have employed some form of surveillance.
This incident is not isolated; it reflects a broader pattern of Ukrainian operations in major Russian cities, including past attacks on military officials and pro-Russian figures.
In a previous incident from April 2023, a well-known war blogger was killed during an event in St. Petersburg when an explosive device disguised as a gift detonated. The accused claimed ignorance about the explosives, revealing the complex dynamics at play as Ukrainian operatives navigate the Russian landscape.
Ukrainian security services are increasingly using deceptive tactics to exploit vulnerabilities among those sympathetic to their cause, spanning acts of sabotage and targeted assassinations. Last year, a former pro-Russian MP was shot in a public park in a brazen attack blamed on Ukrainian intelligence, showcasing the audacity of their operations.
Additionally, the recent assassination of a prominent missile scientist in the vicinity of Moscow, linked to Ukraine’s military intelligence, further emphasizes the perceived threat Ukrainian operatives pose within Russia.
These escalating attacks on military and political figures indicate the depth of Ukrainian penetration into Russian territory. Experts suggest that not all high-profile killings may be directly attributed to Ukrainian forces, highlighting the potential for internal conflicts within the Russian military establishment.
