Payam Javan: Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defense Forces, was killed in a bomb explosion near an apartment block in Moscow’s Ryazansky Prospekt. The explosive device, hidden in a scooter, also claimed the life of Kirillov’s assistant. Russia’s Investigative Committee confirmed the incident, stating that forensic experts and security services are actively investigating the scene to uncover the circumstances behind the attack. This comes amidst heightened tensions as Kirillov was sentenced in absentia by a Ukrainian court just a day earlier for his alleged involvement in Russia’s use of banned chemical weapons during the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

Kirillov, sanctioned by Britain and Canada, had been a central figure in Russia’s military operations since being appointed to lead the nuclear defense forces in 2017. Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) accused him of overseeing over 4,800 chemical weapon incidents, including the use of toxic substances like chloropicrin and K-1 grenades. The bombing follows a recent wave of targeted attacks on Russian officials, including the death of Sergei Yevsyukov earlier this month. Russian authorities are currently reviewing CCTV footage and tightening security measures in the aftermath of the high-profile assassination, as tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate.

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