Ukraine’s Security Service Claims Responsibility for Killing Russian General Accused of Chemical Weapons Use

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has claimed responsibility for the assassination of Russian Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's chemical, radiological, and biological weapons unit, in Moscow on Tuesday. Kirillov, along with his assistant, was killed in an explosion from a device planted on a scooter near an apartment building entrance.

The attack occurred a day after Ukraine's security services formally charged Kirillov with using banned chemical weapons during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. The SBU has stated that it orchestrated the blast, with sources citing the operation as an act of retribution for Kirillov’s role in chemical warfare.

Igor Kirillov

Russian authorities have not yet responded to Ukraine’s claim of responsibility, but they have initiated an investigation into the deaths. Emergency responders were seen at the scene, with video footage showing the damaged entrance of the apartment building.

Kirillov was sanctioned by the UK government in October for his involvement in deploying riot control agents and chemical agents such as chloropicrin on the battlefield. The British government accused him of spreading Kremlin disinformation and helping execute chemical warfare tactics.

In response to his death, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova praised Kirillov’s career, describing him as a courageous figure who exposed Western "crimes" and defended Russia’s interests.