(ProsperNews.net) – Ukraine has claimed responsibility for the assassination of Russian Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the commander of Russia’s chemical, biological, and radiation defense forces, and his assistant. The two were killed in a powerful explosion in Moscow on Tuesday, an incident Russia is treating as a terrorist attack.
The blast occurred near a residential building on Ryazansky Avenue and was reportedly triggered remotely. Russian state media agency Tass reported that the explosive device, hidden on a scooter, had the power of approximately 300 grams of TNT.
The Ukrainian Security Services (SBU) confirmed its involvement in the operation, labeling Kirillov as a “war criminal and an entirely legitimate target.” This announcement came just a day after Ukraine charged Kirillov with crimes related to the alleged use of chemical weapons during the ongoing war, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Kirillov had been sanctioned by multiple countries for his role in the conflict, and the SBU has accused Russia of using banned chemical weapons over 4,800 times during the war.
“Investigative and search activities are being carried out to establish all the circumstances around this crime,” said Russian Investigative Committee spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko, who confirmed that Russian authorities are treating the explosion as an act of terrorism.
Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters on Tuesday that the Department of Defense was unaware of the operation in advance. “We do not support or enable those kinds of activities,” Ryder said, adding that the U.S. had no additional information beyond reports in the press.
This assassination marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict and underscores the reach of Ukrainian operations. It also highlights the broader tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow likely to view this act as a major provocation.
The international response remains to be seen, as Ukraine continues its efforts to counter Russia’s military and political strategies. Meanwhile, the SBU’s acknowledgment of direct involvement signals a bold new phase in Ukraine’s approach to the nearly three-year-long war.
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