A Ukrainian official has confirmed their involvement in the explosion that killed Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's chemical, biological, and radiation defense forces, and his aide in Moscow on Tuesday. The explosion, caused by a remotely detonated device planted on a scooter near a residential building, has been labeled a terrorist act by Russian authorities.
The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) official, speaking anonymously to the Associated Press, justified the assassination, calling Kirillov a "war criminal and a legitimate target." The SBU had charged Kirillov with war crimes just one day prior to the incident, accusing him of employing prohibited chemical weapons in the conflict with Ukraine. This claim aligns with the SBU's documented instances of over 4,800 chemical weapons uses since Russia's invasion began in February 2022.
While Russian investigators and forensic teams are actively investigating the scene to determine the exact circumstances of the attack, the Pentagon has stated it was unaware of the operation beforehand and does not endorse such actions. Pentagon Press Secretary, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, affirmed that the U.S. does not support or facilitate these types of operations.
This incident follows reports of escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy recently stating that the conflict is expanding beyond its initial boundaries. The assassination of such a high-ranking Russian military official undoubtedly adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing war.
