A prominent Russian military figure, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov and his aide, Ilya Polikarpov, were killed in a bomb attack outside a Moscow apartment building on Tuesday.
Russian authorities have arrested a 29-year-old Uzbek national, who, according to investigators, confessed to being recruited by Ukrainian special forces.
The incident has intensified accusations between Russia and Ukraine, with the Kremlin labelling the attack a “terrorist act” and alleging direct involvement from Kyiv. Here are seven facts to note about the killing and the suspect:
- The Arrest of the Suspect
Russian authorities have arrested a 29-year-old Uzbek national in connection with the killing of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov and his aide, Ilya Polikarpov. According to the Investigative Committee, the suspect confessed to being “recruited by Ukrainian special forces.” - The Attack and How It Happened
Kirillov, 54, was killed on Tuesday morning in Moscow when a bomb concealed in an electric scooter exploded outside a residential building. Russian reports confirmed the bomb was detonated remotely. Images from the scene showed shattered windows and scorch marks on the building. - Ukraine’s Alleged Involvement
A source within Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) told Al Jazeera that the agency was responsible for the attack. However, Ukrainian officials have not made any formal statement about the incident. - FSB’s Claims Against the Suspect
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) released footage of the suspect’s interrogation, stating that he faces “a sentence of up to life imprisonment.” The FSB alleged that the suspect had been promised $100,000 and relocation to a European Union country in exchange for assassinating Kirillov. - Details of the Operation
Acting on instructions from Ukrainian operatives, the suspect reportedly traveled to Moscow, obtained a homemade explosive device, and mounted it on an electric scooter. He left the scooter near Kirillov’s apartment building and used a rented car to survey the area. A camera was installed to livestream footage “to the attack organisers, in the [Ukrainian] city of Dnipro.” The bomb was detonated when Kirillov exited the building. - The Kremlin’s Reaction
In its first response to the attack, the Kremlin accused Ukraine of carrying out a “terrorist attack.” Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, “It is once again confirmed that the Kyiv regime does not shy away from terrorist methods.” - Who Was Igor Kirillov?
Kirillov, the highest-ranking Russian military officer assassinated on Russian soil, served as the head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Protection Troops since 2017. Known for accusing Ukraine of planning attacks with toxic agents and radioactive substances, his claims were dismissed by Ukraine and its allies as propaganda. His killing is part of a series of high-profile assassinations Russia has attributed to Ukraine since the start of the war.
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