Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, once the stoic face of Russia’s chemical warfare forces, now becomes the latest casualty in a war that’s reaching deep into Moscow’s centers of power.
In a bold and calculated move, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Protection Troops, was assassinated in Moscow on December 17, 2024. The attack, reportedly orchestrated by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. It also proves that Ukraine is not afraid to strike deep into the heart of Mother Russia.
The Assassination
Lt. Gen. Kirillov, aged 54, was killed alongside his assistant when an explosive device concealed within an electric scooter detonated outside his residence in Moscow (check out the video footage below). The bomb, containing approximately 300 grams of TNT equivalent, was remotely triggered as Kirillov exited his apartment building. Images from the scene depict the aftermath: shattered windows, scorched brickwork, and two bodies lying in blood-stained snow near the damaged entrance.
Russian state media reported that the explosion occurred just after 6 a.m. at the Sreda housing complex, located about five miles from the Kremlin. Both Kirillov and his assistant succumbed to their injuries before emergency services arrived. The Russian Investigative Committee has initiated a terrorism investigation into the incident.
Ukrainian Involvement
A source within Ukraine’s SBU confirmed to Reuters that its agents executed the assassination, labeling Kirillov a war criminal and an “absolutely legitimate target.” This claim follows the SBU’s recent criminal investigation into Kirillov, accusing him of directing the use of banned chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces. The SBU alleges that under Kirillov’s command, Russian forces conducted nearly 5,000 chemical attacks, primarily utilizing K-1 combat grenades containing CN and CS toxic irritants.
The SBU’s statement emphasized that Kirillov’s death serves as a warning to others involved in war crimes against Ukraine, asserting that retribution is inevitable. However, Ukrainian officials have not officially claimed responsibility, with some suggesting that the incident could be the result of internal conflicts within Russia.
Kirillov’s Role and Controversies
Kirillov was a long-time high-ranking Russian military official with a controversial and contentious record. As the head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defense Forces, Kirillov was accused of directing the use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine.
According to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), there were more than 4,800 documented cases of chemical munitions used under his orders since the start of the full-scale war.
In a bold and calculated move, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Protection Troops, was assassinated in Moscow on December 17, 2024. The attack, reportedly orchestrated by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. It also proves that Ukraine is not afraid to strike deep into the heart of Mother Russia.
The Assassination
Lt. Gen. Kirillov, aged 54, was killed alongside his assistant when an explosive device concealed within an electric scooter detonated outside his residence in Moscow (check out the video footage below). The bomb, containing approximately 300 grams of TNT equivalent, was remotely triggered as Kirillov exited his apartment building. Images from the scene depict the aftermath: shattered windows, scorched brickwork, and two bodies lying in blood-stained snow near the damaged entrance.
Russian state media reported that the explosion occurred just after 6 a.m. at the Sreda housing complex, located about five miles from the Kremlin. Both Kirillov and his assistant succumbed to their injuries before emergency services arrived. The Russian Investigative Committee has initiated a terrorism investigation into the incident.
Ukrainian Involvement
A source within Ukraine’s SBU confirmed to Reuters that its agents executed the assassination, labeling Kirillov a war criminal and an “absolutely legitimate target.” This claim follows the SBU’s recent criminal investigation into Kirillov, accusing him of directing the use of banned chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces. The SBU alleges that under Kirillov’s command, Russian forces conducted nearly 5,000 chemical attacks, primarily utilizing K-1 combat grenades containing CN and CS toxic irritants.
The SBU’s statement emphasized that Kirillov’s death serves as a warning to others involved in war crimes against Ukraine, asserting that retribution is inevitable. However, Ukrainian officials have not officially claimed responsibility, with some suggesting that the incident could be the result of internal conflicts within Russia.
Kirillov’s Role and Controversies
Kirillov was a long-time high-ranking Russian military official with a controversial and contentious record. As the head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defense Forces, Kirillov was accused of directing the use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine.
According to Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), there were more than 4,800 documented cases of chemical munitions used under his orders since the start of the full-scale war.
The SBU further claimed that these actions led to over 2,000 Ukrainian troops suffering varying degrees of chemical poisoning.
Kirillov also played a key role in deploying “barbaric” weapons systems, such as the TOS-2 Tosochka heavy flamethrower, a powerful incendiary weapon. Beyond his involvement on the battlefield, he became a face of Russian propaganda and misinformation, often holding briefings accusing Ukraine of using toxic agents and planning attacks with radioactive substances—claims that were widely rejected by Ukraine and its Western allies as unfounded disinformation.
A body remains on the snowy sidewalk at the bombing site. We can’t be sure if this is the general or his aide.
Internationally, Kirillov faced significant repercussions for his actions. He was placed under sanctions by several countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada, for his role in Russia’s aggressive military campaigns. Adding to his notoriety, on December 16, 2024—just one day before his death—Kirillov was sentenced in absentia by a Ukrainian court for war crimes, specifically for the use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. Was this bombing the Ukrainians carrying out a death sentence on Kriillov? Time will tell.
Ukrainian officials openly described Kirillov as a “war criminal” and labeled him an “entirely legitimate target.” His involvement in the widespread use of chemical weapons, deployment of devastating military systems, and his role in the alleged mass poisoning of Ukrainian troops made him a high-priority target for Ukrainian forces. For Ukraine, his death marks a significant blow to a figure they saw as responsible for countless war atrocities.
About the SBU
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is the country’s main internal security agency, established in 1991 following Ukraine’s independence. Tasked with safeguarding national sovereignty, constitutional order, and territorial integrity, the SBU operates similarly to the FBI in the United States or MI5 in the United Kingdom. Its primary responsibilities include counterintelligence activities, combating organized crime and terrorism, cybersecurity, protecting state secrets, and analyzing critical information to support state officials.
The SBU is a substantial organization, once boasting over 30,000 employees, which is notably larger than many similar agencies worldwide. It also operates its own elite special forces unit, known as the Alpha Group, tasked with high-risk and specialized operations.
Members of Alpha Group
In recent years, the SBU has undergone significant reforms to modernize and streamline its operations. These changes include downsizing the agency’s structure, establishing clearer jurisdictional boundaries, and increasing civilian oversight to ensure greater transparency. Additionally, the anti-corruption and organized crime department was eliminated to refocus the agency’s priorities.
Since the onset of the Russo-Ukrainian War, the SBU has played a critical role in Ukraine’s defense. The agency has been at the forefront of operations targeting Russian agents, pro-Russian separatists, and Russian sympathizers, exposing hundreds of spies and initiating numerous high-treason cases. These efforts highlight the SBU’s central role in protecting Ukraine’s security and sovereignty during an ongoing and intense conflict.
Implications and Reactions
The assassination of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov in Moscow carries several critical implications for the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. First and foremost, this high-profile killing marks an escalation in the war, as it demonstrates Ukraine’s ability to strike deep within Russian territory. This bold high-profile assassination could provoke retaliation from Russia, potentially leading to an intensification of attacks on Ukrainian targets and a further spiral of violence.
The attack also exposes the vulnerabilities within Russia’s security apparatus. Successfully targeting such a high-ranking official in the heart of Moscow raises concerns among Russian military leaders about their own safety, highlighting cracks in what was assumed to be an impenetrable system. This insecurity could shake confidence in Russia’s leadership and defenses.
Given Kirillov’s role as the head of Russia’s chemical and biological defense forces, his death could disrupt military operations and decision-making within this critical sector. It also draws attention to ongoing accusations and debates surrounding Russia’s potential use of chemical weapons, possibly impacting international discourse on the matter.
On a strategic level, this operation signals a shift in Ukraine’s approach, reflecting a more aggressive stance by Ukrainian intelligence services. Targeting senior Russian military leadership shows not only Ukraine’s reach but also its intent to weaken Russian command structures from within. This could deliver a psychological blow to Russian forces, undermining morale while simultaneously boosting Ukrainian confidence and national pride.
Internationally, the assassination could influence diplomatic relations and international support for Ukraine. While some nations may view it as a justified strike against a key figure in the conflict, others may express concerns about escalating tensions and the potential for broader consequences. Personally, I believe President Zelensky may be thinking ahead to when President Trump takes office and that he better take care of these kinds of activities now rather than wait for the uncertainty of the future.
The full implications of the targeted killing will depend on how both Russia and Ukraine respond in the coming days.
Location of the blast and proximity to the Kremlin.
Summing Up
The assassination of Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov represents a significant escalation in the covert operations characterizing the Russia-Ukraine conflict. As both nations continue to engage in a complex and brutal struggle, such targeted killings may become more frequent on both sides, further complicating prospects for resolution. The international community will undoubtedly monitor the situation closely, as the potential for retaliation and further escalation remains high.
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Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
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