Russian General Accused of Using Chemical Weapons Killed in Moscow Blast

Ukraine claims responsibility for the bombing that killed top Russian General Igor Kirillov, accused of ordering the use of banned chemical weapons.

Moscow [Russia], December 18: Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia’s radiological, biological, and chemical protection forces, was killed in a bomb blast in Moscow, an attack claimed by Ukraine, according to CNN citing Russian investigators.

The explosion, triggered by a remotely detonated bomb hidden in an electric scooter, occurred outside an apartment building approximately 7 km southeast of the Kremlin. Russia’s Investigative Committee confirmed the attack as a “terrorist act.”

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Details of the Attack

Kirillov, 54, and his assistant, identified as Ilya Polikarpov, were killed instantly as they stepped out of the residential building. Footage obtained by CNN captured the moment of the blast, showing the two men approaching a car before the bomb detonated, engulfing the screen in a white flash.

The explosive device reportedly carried a power equivalent to 300 grams of TNT, as per Russian state news agency TASS.

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Ukrainian Retaliation for Chemical Attacks

The bombing occurred a day after Ukrainian prosecutors sentenced Kirillov in absentia for his alleged role in deploying chloropicrin, a banned chemical weapon, against Ukrainian forces.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that Kirillov’s orders had led to over 4,800 incidents of chemical weapon use since the conflict began in February 2022.

“Kirillov was a war criminal and an absolutely legitimate target,” a Ukrainian source told CNN. “Retribution for war crimes is inevitable.”

Chloropicrin, a chemical agent banned under the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention, causes severe irritation to the eyes, throat, skin, and lungs. The United States had earlier sanctioned Kirillov’s government entity for using this agent against Ukrainian troops.

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Most Senior Military Casualty

Kirillov’s death marks the highest-ranking military casualty in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. His assassination underscores Ukraine’s intent to target those accused of atrocities, particularly involving the use of banned weapons.

Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched a probe into the incident, intensifying security measures amid fears of further attacks.