Sources indicate that Ukraine’s security services were involved in the assassination of Kirillov

A Russian general sought by Ukraine for his involvement in the use of chemical weapons was reportedly killed by a remotely detonated bomb in Moscow on Tuesday, according to Russian officials. Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov lost his life, along with his assistant, on Tuesday morning when an explosive device concealed in an electric scooter detonated outside an apartment building located approximately 7 kilometers (4 miles) southeast of the Kremlin, as stated by Russia’s investigative committee.

The committee has initiated a criminal investigation into the incident, with investigators, forensic specialists, and operational teams currently active at the site.

Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov served as the head of Russia’s nuclear, biological, and chemical protection forces, holding the title of Chief of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops of the Russian Armed Forces.

He had been in this role for over seven years, having been appointed in 2017 after leading the country’s Military Academy of Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense from 2014 to 2017, as reported by Russian state media TASS.

On Monday, Kirillov was charged in absentia for the use of prohibited chemical weapons during Russia’s conflict with Ukraine. The Security Service of Ukraine has documented over 4,800 instances of chemical munitions being deployed under Kirillov’s orders since the onset of the war.

Additionally, Kirillov faced sanctions from Britain for the “abhorrent use of inhumane chemical weapons” in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Ukrainian security forces were responsible for the assassination of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, according to a source familiar with the operation who spoke to CNN.

The source stated, “Kirillov was a war criminal and a completely justifiable target, having issued orders to deploy prohibited chemical agents against Ukrainian troops. Those who perpetrate violence against Ukrainians will ultimately meet a similar fate. Justice for war crimes is unavoidable.”