Ukrainian Operation Kills Russian General In Moscow Explosion.
A high-ranking Russian general, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, has reportedly been killed in an explosion in Moscow, according to sources in Kyiv. The blast, which occurred on Tuesday morning, took place at the entrance to a residential building when a device concealed in an electric scooter detonated.
Lt Gen Kirillov had recently been charged by Ukrainian authorities for the alleged use of banned chemical weapons during the conflict. On Monday, Kyiv accused him of deploying Chloropicrin, a gas initially used in the First World War, against Ukrainian troops in trenches. He had also been sanctioned by the UK for his involvement in the war.
Russian media reports suggest the explosive device was remotely operated, with images from the scene showing the scooter’s handlebars destroyed by the blast. The general was at the site of the explosion when it was triggered.
Our security correspondent, Frank Gardner, notes the timing of the attack may be linked to the charges recently brought against Kirillov.
Reporting from the scene, BBC Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg observed that the killing has shocked Muscovites, bringing the realities of the war closer to home. While much of the conflict has taken place in Ukraine, this incident highlights the war’s increasing reach into Russian territory.
As investigations continue, the explosion underscores the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides employing bold tactics in an increasingly volatile conflict.
