Ukraine Claims Responsibility for Killing of Russian Military Chemical Weapons Chief

Tags: Ukraine, Russia, Assassination, Igor Kirillov, Chemical Weapons, SBU

Assassination of General Kirillov

Ukraine has claimed responsibility for the assassination of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the chief of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops. The killing occurred on December 17 in Moscow, where a bomb hidden in an electric scooter exploded, killing both Kirillov and his assistant as they exited a building. This high-profile assassination marks a significant escalation in Ukraine’s targeted attacks on Russian military officials.

Ukrainian Intelligence Behind the Attack

The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) confirmed its involvement in the killing, describing Kirillov as a “war criminal” responsible for the use of chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces. An SBU source stated that the assassination was a legitimate act of retribution for the alleged war crimes committed by Kirillov. The bomb exploded as the two men were preparing to get into a car, leaving behind a scene of destruction, with shattered windows and a severely damaged building entrance.

Targeted Killing and Its Impact

Kirillov’s death is the highest-profile assassination of a Russian military leader inside Russia attributed to Ukraine. His murder is expected to prompt a review of security measures for Russian military officials. In response, senior Russian officials, including former president Dmitry Medvedev, warned of imminent retaliation against Ukraine for the attack.

Allegations of Chemical Weapon Use

Kirillov, 54, had been a prominent figure in Russia’s military, frequently appearing in state media where he accused Ukraine of violating nuclear safety protocols and alleged various crimes by the West. He had been sanctioned by Britain in October for his involvement in the use of chemical weapons, including riot control agents and toxic chemicals like chloropicrin, which Ukraine claimed were used to incapacitate its troops.

Russia’s Response and Historical Context

The assassination follows reports that Ukrainian prosecutors had charged Kirillov in absentia for the alleged use of chemical weapons. The general’s name also appeared on the Ukrainian “Myrotvorets” database, which tracks individuals seen as enemies of Ukraine. This is not the first high-profile killing attributed to Ukraine, with previous targets including nationalist ideologue Darya Dugina and pro-war blogger Vladlen Tatarsky. Russia has consistently accused Ukraine of carrying out such targeted killings as part of its strategy during the ongoing war.