Chief of Russia’s nuclear protection forces killed in Moscow bombing

A high-ranking Russian military officer, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, was killed in a targeted bombing on Tuesday outside an apartment building in Moscow, according to the Russian Investigative Committee. Kirillov, who headed the Troops of Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defence, was fatally wounded by an explosive device believed to have been concealed in an electric scooter.

The blast also claimed the life of Kirillov’s assistant, although their identities have not been fully disclosed. Initial reports indicate that the explosive device had an estimated capacity of 300 grams of TNT equivalent, suggesting a carefully planned attack.

Images circulating on Russian social media showed the aftermath of the bombing, with a shattered building entrance and two bodies lying in the snow, surrounded by debris. A criminal investigation into the incident has been launched, but no suspects have been publicly identified at this time.

Kirillov’s death comes at a time of heightened tensions surrounding Russia’s military activities, particularly in Ukraine. He had recently been charged in absentia by Ukrainian prosecutors with alleged involvement in the use of chemical weapons in the ongoing conflict. The charges were brought by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), which accused Kirillov and his forces of deploying banned chemical agents, such as chloropicrin, a toxic substance banned under international law. Russia has consistently denied these allegations, claiming that it no longer possesses chemical weapons.

In response to reports of chemical weapons use on the battlefield, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Kirillov and the Russian nuclear protection forces in October. The sanctions were linked to reports of riot control agents and chemical weapons, including chloropicrin, being used in combat, despite international prohibitions on such substances.

The Troops of Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defence, which Kirillov commanded, play a crucial role in Russia’s military preparedness for nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare. The special forces unit is responsible for managing threats involving weapons of mass destruction, including situations involving radioactive contamination.

The bombing marks an escalation in the ongoing conflict and comes as Ukraine continues to accuse Russia of utilizing toxic weapons against Ukrainian forces, with the SBU reporting over 4,800 instances of chemical weapon use, particularly K-1 grenades, since the war’s onset in February 2022.

As investigations continue, the attack on Kirillov remains shrouded in mystery, raising questions about potential inside involvement or foreign intelligence operations.