The Kremlin on Wednesday accused Ukraine of orchestrating the assassination of a Russian general in Moscow, labeling the incident a “terrorist attack.” The remarks came over 24 hours after an explosion outside the Moscow residence of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia’s chemical and biological forces, claimed his life and that of his aide.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, “It is now evident who ordered this terrorist act,” pointing to Ukraine. He further accused Kyiv of employing “terrorist methods.”
Russian investigators have detained a suspect alleged to have been recruited by Ukraine’s special forces. Peskov commended the swift action of Russia’s security services in apprehending the individual.
Ukraine’s SBU security service anonymously claimed responsibility, calling the operation a targeted action against Kirillov, whom they described as a “war criminal.” Just a day before his death, Ukraine had initiated criminal proceedings against him for allegedly deploying banned chemical weapons during the invasion of Ukraine.
Peskov asserted that Kirillov’s killing justified Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which has drawn widespread global condemnation and severe sanctions against Moscow.
