Russia Detains Suspect Over Murder of General Igor Kirillov in Moscow Russian authorities have detained a 29-year-old Uzbek national, suspecting him of carrying out the deadly bombing in Moscow that killed General Igor Kirillov and his aide, Ilya Polikarpov. The attack, which took place on the morning of December 19, 2025, involved a remote-detonated bomb hidden in an electric scooter.
The Investigative Committee of Russia announced the arrest on Wednesday, stating that the suspect was allegedly recruited by Ukrainian special forces to execute the attack. According to the committee, the individual admitted to being tasked by Ukraine to carry out the bombing.
Lieutenant General Kirillov, aged 54, had been the head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops since 2017. He was killed outside his Moscow residence, with the explosion causing significant damage to the surrounding area, including shattered windows and scorched brickwork.
Details of the Attack
The bomb, reportedly triggered remotely, was strategically placed on an electric scooter and left outside the apartment complex where Kirillov lived. Surveillance footage from the scene showed the aftermath of the attack, with clear signs of destruction.
A source within Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed to Al Jazeera that the agency was behind the assassination, though Ukraine has not yet made an official public statement regarding the incident.
Suspect’s Actions and Motivation
The arrested suspect, who is reportedly 29 years old, told investigators that he was promised a $100,000 reward and residency in a European Union country in exchange for carrying out the assassination. According to the Federal Security Service (FSB), the suspect traveled to Moscow, where he acquired the homemade explosive device. He mounted the device onto the scooter and left it outside the building where Kirillov lived.
In addition to planting the bomb, the suspect rented a car and set up a surveillance camera to monitor the scene. The camera streamed live footage to Ukraine’s Dnipro, where the individuals responsible for organizing the attack were reportedly based. Once the target was seen leaving the building, the bomb was remotely detonated.
Russian Government’s Reaction
The Russian government quickly labeled the incident as a “terrorist attack” and accused Ukraine of using “terrorist methods.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov condemned the act, asserting that it further proves the Ukrainian regime’s willingness to resort to such tactics.
The suspect now faces a potential life sentence in Russia if convicted of carrying out the assassination on behalf of Ukraine’s special forces. While the SBU has confirmed its involvement in the attack, the Ukrainian government has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
Who Was Igor Kirillov?
Igor Kirillov, the highest-ranking Russian military officer to be assassinated within Russia by Ukraine, served as the head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops. His death is likely to trigger a reassessment of security measures for senior Russian military figures.
Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Kirillov played a prominent role in Russian military briefings. He frequently accused the Ukrainian military of deploying toxic agents and planning attacks using radioactive substances—allegations that were widely dismissed as propaganda by Ukraine and its Western allies.
Kirillov’s assassination is part of a broader trend, with Russia accusing Ukraine of carrying out targeted killings on its soil. These attacks have reportedly included the deaths of missile developers, weapons designers, and commanders of long-range units responsible for launching strikes on Ukrainian targets.
Key Details of General Igor Kirillov’s Assassination
The Assassination: A High-Profile Killing
On December 19, 2025, General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, was killed in Moscow. The attack occurred outside his apartment building, when an improvised explosive device (IED) attached to an electric scooter detonated. Kirillov was killed along with his assistant in the blast, which has been deemed one of the most significant targeted killings of a senior Russian military official during the ongoing conflict.
- Target: General Igor Kirillov, a key figure in Russia’s military apparatus
- Method: Remote detonation of an IED attached to an electric scooter
- Location: Moscow, Russia
The assassination of a top military leader represents a direct strike against Russia’s defense establishment, adding a new layer of complexity to the war’s already volatile dynamics.
Suspect Detained and Claims of Ukrainian Involvement
In the aftermath of the bombing, Russia’s Investigative Committee announced the detainment of a suspect, reportedly an Uzbek national, who has confessed to executing the attack. According to Russian authorities, the suspect was acting under the orders of Ukraine’s SBU. In a video, the man allegedly confessed to purchasing the electric scooter, planting the bomb, and remotely triggering the device as Kirillov left his apartment building.
- Suspect’s Confession: The detained man claims he was promised $100,000 and residency in a European country by Ukraine’s SBU.
- Surveillance Footage: The suspect allegedly monitored the bomb remotely, with the surveillance reportedly managed from Dnipro, Ukraine.
The suspect’s confession, however, has not been independently verified, and the conditions under which he made the statement remain unclear.
Ukraine’s Response and Strategic Justification
SBU Claims Responsibility
Ukraine’s SBU has taken responsibility for the assassination, justifying the action as a necessary response to Kirillov’s role in overseeing Russia’s chemical weapons program. Ukrainian authorities argue that Kirillov was directly involved in the deployment of chemical weapons against Ukrainian soldiers—a claim that Russia denies.
- Ukrainian Justification: The SBU has framed the assassination as a targeted action against someone responsible for war crimes, reflecting Ukraine’s broader military strategy of weakening Russia’s high command.
Ukraine’s Position on Targeted Killings
The justification for targeted killings in wartime is contentious. Ukraine maintains that eliminating high-ranking Russian officers, especially those linked to chemical warfare, is vital to weakening the enemy’s military operations. On the other hand, Russia views these killings as acts of terrorism, accusing Ukraine of resorting to assassination tactics as a form of psychological warfare.
Russia’s Diplomatic and Military Response
Raising the Issue at the UN Security Council
In response to the murder, Russia has vowed to bring the issue before the United Nations Security Council. Foreign Minister Maria Zakharova condemned the assassination as a terrorist act orchestrated by the Ukrainian regime, which she claims is backed by Western powers. Moscow has called for international condemnation of the attack, labeling it an act of “terrorism.”
- Russia’s Allegations: Moscow accuses the U.S. and the U.K. of enabling Ukraine’s actions, asserting that the West is complicit in the ongoing violence.
Internal Russian Reaction
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not made a public comment on the assassination, but his spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, praised the work of Russian intelligence in solving the case. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, a prominent ally of Putin, criticized the international media’s reaction, accusing Western outlets of legitimizing Ukraine’s actions.
- Medvedev’s Statement: Medvedev controversially suggested that Western officials providing aid to Ukraine could themselves become legitimate targets for Russian retaliation.
The Global Impact: Heightened Tensions and the Road Ahead
The murder of General Kirillov represents not only a significant loss for Russia but also an intensifying of the geopolitical conflict. With Russia blaming Ukraine for orchestrating the attack, and Ukraine justifying it as a military necessity, the stakes have been raised.
- Escalating Tensions: The targeted assassination and subsequent political fallout are likely to have far-reaching consequences, further complicating peace efforts.
- Intelligence Agencies and Cyber Warfare: The involvement of intelligence agencies in orchestrating such attacks demonstrates the growing role of cyber and covert warfare in modern conflicts.
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Conclusion
The detention of a suspect in the assassination of General Igor Kirillov highlights the increasingly complex and deadly nature of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While Russia holds Ukraine responsible for the attack, Ukraine justifies it as part of its defensive strategy against Russian military actions. As both nations continue to escalate tensions, the global community watches closely, aware of the potential for further violence and destabilization.
FAQs
1. Who was General Igor Kirillov?
General Kirillov was the head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops and a senior military officer.
2. What happened in the Moscow bombing?
General Kirillov was killed in an explosion from a bomb attached to an electric scooter outside his Moscow residence.
3. Who is responsible for the assassination?
Ukraine’s SBU intelligence agency has claimed responsibility for the attack, citing Kirillov’s involvement in chemical warfare against Ukraine.
4. How did the suspect confess?
The detained suspect reportedly confessed to the bombing in a video, claiming he was acting on orders from Ukraine’s SBU.
5. How has Russia responded?
Russia has condemned the assassination as a terrorist act and plans to raise the issue at the UN Security Council.
6. What does this incident mean for global security?
The incident further escalates the Russia-Ukraine conflict and reflects the growing role of intelligence agencies and covert operations in modern warfare.
