Ukraine’s security service (SBU) was responsible for the bomb attack that killed Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the Russian military’s chemical weapons chief, on Tuesday, according to an Associated Press (AP) report citing an anonymous SBU official. The incident occurred just a day after Ukraine launched a criminal investigation against Kirillov for allegedly ordering the use of banned chemical weapons during Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Details of the Attack
- Kirillov, aged 54, was killed by a bomb hidden in a scooter outside his home as he was leaving for his office.
- His assistant also reportedly died in the explosion.
- The bomb was triggered remotely, AP reported, citing Russian news sources.
- Russia’s top investigating agency is treating the case as an act of terrorism.
Kirillov and His Role
Kirillov, who led Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Forces since 2017, was under sanctions from the UK and Canada for his involvement in Russia’s military activities. He was notably vocal in accusing Ukraine of:
- Using toxic chemical elements during the war.
- Planning radioactive substance attacks against Russian forces, claims rejected by Ukraine and its allies as propaganda.
Ukraine’s Response
An SBU official described Kirillov as a “war criminal and an entirely legitimate target”, underlining Kyiv’s stance against individuals they accuse of breaching international warfare norms. Notably, Ukraine’s SBU has documented:
- Over 4,800 instances of Russia using chemical weapons since the February 2022 invasion.
- Reports of Russia deploying chloropicrin, a chemical poison gas banned after its use in World War I, were earlier corroborated by the U.S. State Department in May.
Reactions from Russia
- Russia’s security officials have denied claims of chemical weapon use, countering that Kyiv itself uses toxic agents in combat.
- Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, alleged that Ukraine orchestrated the attack to “distract” citizens from its military struggles. He also vowed “inevitable retribution” against Kyiv’s leadership.
Recent Tensions
The incident underscores ongoing escalations between Russia and Ukraine.
- Earlier this month, an explosive device targeted Sergei Yevsyukov, the former head of the Olenivka Prison, where dozens of Ukrainian prisoners died in a 2022 missile strike.
- Ukraine continues to seek NATO membership with steady support from Western allies, while Moscow remains resolute in its military goals.
Outlook
As both nations lock horns, high-profile attacks such as Kirillov’s assassination mark significant developments in the conflict. With both sides trading accusations, further escalations appear likely, solidifying the war’s devastating footprint in the region.
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