Russian CBRN Chief Commander Dies in Explosion... "Ukrainian Special Operation"

A senior official in charge of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons in the Russian military died on the 17th (local time) in an explosion accident on a major road in Moscow, Russia. Although the Ukrainian government has not yet issued an official comment on the incident, major foreign media outlets have speculated that it was a special operation by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU).

According to local major media, an explosive device attached to a scooter (kickboard) near the entrance of an apartment on Ryazansky Avenue in southeastern Moscow detonated that morning, killing Igor Kirillov, commander of the Russian Ministry of Defense's CBRN Defense Troops, and his aide.

Igor Kirillov, Commander of the Russian Ministry of Defense Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense Forces

원본보기 아이콘

Kirillov is the highest-ranking Russian military official to die in an explosion in Moscow since Russia launched its "special military operation" in Ukraine in February 2022.

The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has launched an investigation into the incident. Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for the committee, stated, "A criminal case has been initiated under charges related to terrorism, murder, and illegal arms trafficking," adding, "Investigations and search operations will be conducted to clarify all circumstances surrounding this crime."

The explosion reportedly shattered windows from the first to the fourth floors of the building and damaged several nearby vehicles, according to local media. Photos showing bodies presumed to be Kirillov and his aide lying on the snow-covered road were also released.

Although the Ukrainian government has not yet issued an official comment, major foreign media reported that an internal source from the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) said, "The elimination of Kirillov was a special operation by the SBU." The SBU also charged Kirillov the previous day with using banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. The SBU claims that more than 4,800 chemical weapons have been used on the battlefield since February 2022.

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.