Igor Kirillov: Russia’s chemical weapons chief and mouthpiece killed in Moscow
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Igor Kirillov in 2018. AFP - Getty Images file
Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection troops, was killed in an explosion in Moscow, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The 55-year-old was known for his involvement in Russia’s military chemical programs and his role in spreading Kremlin disinformation, particularly regarding Ukraine’s alleged use of chemical weapons.
Kirillov and his aide were reportedly killed by explosives planted in an electric scooter, which detonated as he left his residence in south-eastern Moscow. Ukrainian officials have suggested that the country’s SBU security service was behind the attack, labeling him a “war criminal” and a legitimate target. Ukrainian military intelligence confirmed that at least 30 North Korean troops were killed or wounded in the Kursk region over the weekend, adding another layer of complexity to the conflict.
Kirillov’s death is being treated as a significant blow to Russia’s military establishment. The Russian Ministry of Defence has not commented on the attack, but some pro-Kremlin voices believe Ukraine’s ability to strike high-profile Russian officials in Moscow signals increasing operational capabilities.
Kirillov, a key figure in Russia’s chemical weapons operations, had become infamous for his role as a mouthpiece for Kremlin disinformation. His notorious briefings, often riddled with unsubstantiated claims, made him a prominent figure in Russian state media. The UK Foreign Office had previously labeled him as a “significant mouthpiece for Kremlin disinformation.”
Before assuming the leadership of the Russian Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Troops in 2017, Kirillov had headed the Timoshenko Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Academy. His role involved overseeing the Russian military’s chemical operations, including tasks that range from identifying hazardous materials to deploying flame-incendiary weapons. His unit is also associated with the use of thermobaric warheads, a highly destructive tool in Russia’s military arsenal.
However, Kirillov’s legacy is heavily linked to accusations of deploying chemical weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine. The UK Foreign Office highlighted reports of the use of riot control agents and the toxic choking agent chloropicrin, especially in areas of Eastern Ukraine. Ukraine’s SBU has also named him in absentia for the mass use of prohibited chemical weapons on the front lines in Ukraine, particularly in the eastern and southern regions since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Over 4,800 instances of chemical weapon use were cited, with drone attacks and grenades reportedly being used to spread toxic substances.
A particular focus of Kirillov’s career was his unfounded allegations against Ukraine, which he claimed was developing “biological weapons laboratories” with the support of the US. His controversial statements, often presented with dubious evidence, were part of Russia’s justification for its invasion of Ukraine. These claims were largely dismissed by Western experts, but they fueled the rhetoric that framed Ukraine as a potential threat to international security.
One of Kirillov’s most outrageous assertions was his repeated claim that Ukraine was working on a “dirty bomb,” an allegation that was unequivocally denied by Ukraine and the West. In 2021, he alleged that Ukrainian organizations were nearing the completion of a dirty bomb, a narrative that added to the tension in the region. He doubled down on these accusations in 2023, even claiming to have discovered a chemical weapons laboratory in Avdiivka, an area under heavy conflict.
Kirillov’s legacy is further complicated by the fact that Russia, a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), has been accused of violating the treaty. Despite declaring the destruction of its Cold War-era chemical weapons in 2017, Russia has faced allegations of using chemical agents such as Novichok, a nerve agent, in high-profile assassinations, including the 2018 Salisbury poisoning in the UK.
Kirillov’s violent death has deeply shaken Russia’s political and military circles. In a rare moment of solemnity, the Russian parliament observed a minute of silence in his memory. Senior Russian officials, including Konstantin Kosachev, deputy speaker of the Federation Council, and MP Andrei Gurulyov, called his death an “irreparable loss” and vowed retaliation. Gurulyov, a former general, framed the attack as part of a broader pattern of Western interference in Russia’s military operations, highlighting the alleged “criminal activities” of the US and its allies.
While some Russian commentators have pointed to potential Western involvement in Kirillov’s assassination, the broader impact of his death is likely to fuel further tensions. Pro-Kremlin loyalists view it not just as a personal tragedy but as proof that Ukraine, along with its Western allies, has the means to strike at the heart of Russia’s leadership. It remains to be seen whether this event will lead to a shift in the trajectory of the war or further escalate tensions between Russia and the West.
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