According to the reports on Tuesday (17 December), a Russian general, Kirillov, who headed Russia’s nuclear defense forces, died in an explosion in Moscow. The blast, caused by an explosive device hidden in a scooter, also claimed the life of his assistant. Russian authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, with forensic experts and operational teams working to determine the details surrounding the attack.
The spokesperson for Russia’s investigative committee, Svetlana Petrenko, stated that investigators are actively examining the scene. Officials aim to uncover the circumstances of the explosion and identify those responsible for the crime. The sudden nature of the attack has raised questions about its origins and possible motivations.
Kirillov had recently been sentenced in absentia by a Ukrainian court for the use of banned chemical weapons during Russia’s ongoing military operation in Ukraine. Since the conflict began in February 2022, Ukrainian authorities accused Russia of deploying chemical weapons, including K-1 combat grenades, on the battlefield.
The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) reported over 4,800 instances of chemical weapon use by Russian forces during the war. The death of Kirillov, a key figure tied to these operations, marks a significant development in the conflict, as both sides continue to grapple with escalating hostilities and allegations of war crimes.
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