Moscow – Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of the Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defense Troops of the Russian Armed Forces, was killed in a bomb explosion in Moscow on Monday, according to a report by Russia Today citing an unnamed law enforcement source. Another individual also lost their life when the blast occurred outside an apartment building in Ryazansky Prospekt.
Russia’s investigative committee confirmed Kirillov’s death, stating, “Igor Kirillov, the head of the radiation, chemical and biological protection forces of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, and his assistant were killed.” A criminal investigation has been launched into the incident, though further details remain undisclosed.
Explosion comes amid accusations of chemical weapon use
The death of General Kirillov comes just a day after Kyiv Independent reported that Ukrainian prosecutors had charged him for allegedly overseeing the use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) detailed the accusations, claiming, “Russian forces mostly use ammunition with toxic substances by dropping them from FPV (first-person-view) drones on Ukrainian positions. When chemical grenades are detonated, their poisonous compounds affect human mucous membranes, especially the eyes and respiratory tract.”
UK sanctions and accusations of war crimes
Kirillov’s name had also been tied to international scrutiny earlier. In October, the UK government sanctioned Kirillov and his forces for their role in what it described as the “deployment of barbaric chemical weapons” in Ukraine. The UK government issued a statement accusing Russian troops of “openly admitting to using hazardous chemical weapons on the battlefield, with widespread use of riot control agents and multiple reports of the use of the toxic choking agent chloropicrin – first deployed on the battlefields of WW1.”
The statement went on to say, “Kirillov has also been a significant mouthpiece for Kremlin disinformation, spreading lies to mask Russia’s shameful and dangerous behavior.”
Uncertain circumstances and escalating tensions
While the details surrounding Kirillov’s death remain unclear, the explosion comes at a time of escalating accusations and geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Kirillov had been a prominent figure not only in military operations but also in Russia’s information campaigns, amplifying Kremlin narratives.
The timing of his death raises questions about potential links between the explosion and the mounting international allegations. Investigators are expected to examine both domestic and external factors that may have contributed to the attack.
This development marks a significant turn amid ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe, where the alleged use of chemical weapons remains a contentious and alarming issue for international authorities.
