Top Russian general in charge of nuclear protection forces killed in Moscow blast, Ukraine claims responsibility

A high-ranking Russian military commander, Igor Kirillov, and his second-in-command were killed in Moscow on Tuesday. A bomb concealed in a scooter detonated outside a residential building on Ryazansky Prospekt, claiming their lives. The explosion occurred approximately 4.35 miles southeast of the Kremlin. Russian authorities are investigating the incident.

Igor Kirillov, who led the Russian military’s chemical, biological and radiation protection forces, was killed alongside his second-in-command when “an explosive device planted in a scooter parked near the entrance of a residential building was activated on the morning of December 17 on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow, news agency AFP reported quoting officials.
Following the blast, Ukraine’s security service claimed responsibility for the attack, as per the report.
According to state news agency TASS, an explosion on Ryazansky Prospekt in Moscow resulted in two fatalities.
The incident occurred on Ryazansky Prospekt, a thoroughfare beginning approximately 7 km (4.35 miles) to the southeast of the Kremlin.
Kirillov assumed leadership of the force in April 2017. His educational background includes training at the Kostroma Higher Military Command School of Chemical Defence, BBC reported quoting Tass.

Throughout his military career, the general held various positions related to dangerous substances, serving in the Directorate of the chief of the radiation, chemical and biological defence troops.
A Ukrainian court issued a sentence in absentia on Monday against Kirillov for deploying prohibited chemical weapons during Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine, which commenced in February 2022.