Russia detains Uzbek man over general’s killing in Moscow
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Russian authorities have detained a 29-year-old man from Uzbekistan in connection with the killing of senior military figure Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov. Kirillov, the head of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Forces, was killed in a targeted attack early on Tuesday outside a residential building in Moscow. His assistant, Ilya Polikarpov, was also killed in the explosion.
According to Russia’s Investigative Committee (SK), the explosive device that caused the deaths was hidden in an electric scooter. The device was remotely detonated when Kirillov and Polikarpov left the building, authorities say. In the wake of the incident, Russia has confirmed the arrest of a suspect, who has been named as a 29-year-old man from Uzbekistan. While the suspect’s identity remains undisclosed, authorities claim he admitted to being recruited by Ukrainian intelligence services.
The SK’s statement further explained that the suspect had placed a video camera in a rented car, which was streaming the location of Kirillov to operatives in Ukraine’s Dnipro city. This suggests that the killing was meticulously planned, with surveillance conducted in advance. The authorities also stated that the suspect had received instructions to carry out the attack, with the promise of a $100,000 reward and a European passport.
While the Investigative Committee has yet to provide any concrete evidence to back up the claim of Ukrainian involvement, the SBU, Ukraine’s security service, had already suggested responsibility for the attack. Sources within the SBU described Kirillov as a “legitimate target,” citing his role in alleged war crimes, including the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. Ukraine’s SBU had already charged Kirillov in absentia on the day before his death, accusing him of overseeing the mass use of banned chemical weapons during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. These allegations have been denied by Moscow, which insists that Kirillov’s leadership did not involve such violations.
On the day of the attack, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed deep condolences over Kirillov’s death, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov calling it a significant loss. Despite the condolences, Russian officials have vowed to seek justice for the killing, with the Russian Foreign Ministry announcing that the assassination will be raised at the upcoming United Nations Security Council meeting on Friday.
The killing of Kirillov is being viewed as one of the most high-profile assassinations of a senior Russian official within the country since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2024. The attack comes amid growing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides accusing each other of war crimes and other violations of international law. Kirillov himself had previously been sanctioned by the UK over alleged involvement in the use of chemical weapons during Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. The UK’s Foreign Office had imposed sanctions on Kirillov, pointing to reports of chemical weapons attacks, including the toxic choking agent chloropicrin, being used by Russian forces.
Images from the scene of the attack in Moscow on Tuesday revealed significant damage to the entrance of Kirillov’s apartment building. The explosion left scorch marks on the walls and shattered several windows. Two body bags could be seen outside the building, while investigators worked to piece together the details of the attack.
While the arrest of the Uzbek national is being viewed as a significant development in the case, the circumstances surrounding his confession remain unclear. A video released by Russia’s Federal Security Services (FSB) showed the suspect confessing to the crime and speaking about the reward and the European passport he was promised in exchange for carrying out the attack. However, critics have raised questions about whether his confession was made under duress, casting doubt on the validity of the statement.
The ongoing investigation continues to unfold as Russian authorities focus on bringing those responsible for Kirillov’s assassination to justice. The case has drawn significant attention, not only because of Kirillov’s senior position within the Russian military but also due to the broader context of the war in Ukraine, where both sides have faced accusations of using chemical weapons.
As of now, Russia has not provided further details about the specific individuals or organizations behind the attack, but authorities have promised to pursue the case vigorously. The situation continues to add complexity to the already fraught relations between Russia, Ukraine, and the international community.
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