Uzbekistan national detained; Russia accuses Ukraine of involvement in the assassination of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov.
Moscow [Russia], December 19: Russian authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with the bombing that killed Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov and his aide Ilya Polikarpov in Moscow, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The Investigative Committee revealed in a statement on Wednesday that a 29-year-old Uzbek national has been detained. The suspect reportedly claimed to have been “recruited by Ukrainian special forces” to carry out the attack.
The Bombing Incident
Kirillov, 54, served as the head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops since 2017. He was killed on Tuesday morning when a bomb, concealed in an electric scooter, was remotely detonated outside an apartment building, approximately 7 kilometers southeast of the Kremlin.
Images from the scene depicted shattered windows and charred walls. According to Russian reports, the bomb was triggered remotely.
A source within Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) reportedly confirmed to Al Jazeera that the agency orchestrated the attack, though Ukraine has not officially commented on the incident.
Suspect’s Alleged Motive
The Federal Security Service (FSB) released interrogation footage of the suspect, who stated he had been promised a reward of $100,000 and relocation to a European Union country in exchange for assassinating Kirillov.
The FSB announced that the suspect could face a life sentence for his role in the attack.
Kremlin’s Reaction
In its first public response, the Kremlin labeled the bombing a “terrorist attack” and accused Kyiv of employing extremist tactics.
“Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, ‘It is once again confirmed that the Kyiv regime does not shy away from terrorist methods,’” Al Jazeera reported.
Background on Kirillov
The assassination occurred one day after Ukrainian prosecutors sentenced Kirillov in absentia for Russia’s alleged use of banned chemical weapons during its invasion of Ukraine.
Kirillov had been a key figure in Russia’s military operations, leading its radiological, biological, and chemical protection forces. His death marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
