What's New
Russian intelligence officials revealed on Wednesday that they have apprehended a suspect believed to be involved in the assassination of a senior military general in Moscow. The suspect was described as an Uzbek citizen born in 1995.
The FSB revealed that the suspect in the killing of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov was allegedly promised a $100,000 reward and the opportunity to relocate to a European Union country in exchange for carrying out the assassination.
Why It Matters
The suspect was reportedly recruited by Ukrainian intelligence, according to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), a development that has added a new layer of intrigue to the ongoing security challenges faced by Russia in relation to its ongoing war in Ukraine.
The FSB, declined to release the name of the person they arrested, stating that they confessed to being approached and enlisted by Ukrainian special services.
What to Know
Kirillov, chief of Russia's nuclear, biological, and chemical protection forces, was killed on Tuesday in a bombing outside his Moscow apartment building. The bomb, which was concealed in a scooter when it was detonated, also claimed the life of Kirillov's assistant.
According to the FSB, while acting on instructions from Ukrainian handlers, the suspect traveled to Moscow, where he acquired a homemade explosive device. He was said to have placed the bomb on an electric scooter and parked it outside Kirillov's residential building.
To monitor the scene, the suspect reportedly rented a car and installed a livestreaming camera linked to his handlers in Dnipro, Ukraine. The bomb was detonated remotely by the suspect once Kirillov was seen leaving the building, according to the FSB.
The agency stated that the suspect, if convicted, faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The attack occurred just one day after Ukraine brought criminal charges against Kirillov. A Ukrainian official stated in a report published on Tuesday that the country's security service (SBU), was responsible for the operation, marking a dramatic escalation in the shadow conflict between the two nations.
The SBU official spoke on condition of anonymity, describing Kirillov as a "war criminal and an entirely legitimate target."
Kirillov, 54, had been sanctioned by several nations, including the U.K. and Canada, for his involvement in Moscow's military actions in Ukraine. On Monday, the SBU launched a criminal investigation against him, alleging that he oversaw the deployment of banned chemical weapons.
Russia has consistently denied using chemical weapons in Ukraine and, in turn, has accused Kyiv of employing toxic agents on the battlefield.
Since assuming his role in 2017, Kirillov became one of the most prominent voices in Moscow leveling accusations against Ukraine. He frequently held briefings accusing the Ukrainian military of deploying toxic agents and plotting attacks involving radioactive materials—allegations that Kyiv and its Western allies dismissed as baseless propaganda.
The bomb that killed Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov on Tuesday was detonated remotely, according to Russian news reports. Images from the aftermath showed shattered windows and scorched brickwork at the scene of the attack outside his Moscow apartment.
What People Are Saying
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia's Security Council said of Ukraine that its: "senior military-political leadership will face inevitable retribution." He described the attack as an attempt by Kyiv to distract public attention from its military failures.
U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Tuesday: "The United States was not aware of it in advance and was not involved."
The SBU had charged Kirillov in absentia for: "ordering the use of banned chemical weapons against Ukraine's Defense Forces."
What Happens Next
Russia's top state investigative agency has classified Kirillov's death as an act of terrorism. Officials in Moscow have vowed to retaliate, placing the blame squarely on Ukraine for orchestrating the attack.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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