Killing of Russian General Igor Kirillov Blamed on Ukraine Amid Ongoing Conflict

The Ukrainian Security Service, known as the SBU, has taken responsibility for the death of Lt. General Igor Kirillov. Kirillov led Russia's nuclear, biological, and chemical protection forces. He died in a bombing incident on Tuesday in Moscow. The explosion occurred when a bomb placed on a scooter detonated outside an apartment building, also killing his assistant, Ilya Polikarpov.

Kirillov was charged in absentia by the SBU for allegedly ordering the use of banned chemical weapons against Ukraine's Defence Forces. An SBU official, who wished to remain anonymous due to lack of authorisation to speak publicly, described Kirillov as a "war criminal and an entirely legitimate target." Russia has accused Ukraine of several high-profile attacks during the ongoing conflict.

High-Profile Incidents Blamed on Ukraine

In August 2022, TV commentator Darya Dugina was killed when a remote-controlled bomb exploded in her SUV near Moscow. Her father, Alexander Dugin, was believed to be the intended target. Dugin is a philosopher and political theorist who supports the war and advocates for traditional Russian values. Ukraine denied involvement, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stating Dugina was "not our responsibility."

Military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky died in April 2023 after a bomb exploded in a St Petersburg cafe where he was speaking. Tatarsky supported the war and reported from the front lines via Telegram. Darya Trepova was convicted for the bombing after presenting Tatarsky with a statue that exploded. She claimed ignorance about the bomb.

Zakhar Prilepin, a nationalist Russian writer, survived a car bombing in May 2023 in Nizhny Novgorod. His driver died, and Prilepin sustained injuries. Known for supporting the war, Prilepin faced EU sanctions. A Ukrainian named Alexander Permyakov was convicted of the attack and sentenced to life imprisonment by a Russian court.

Other Notable Incidents

Former submarine commander Stanislav Rzhitsky was shot dead while jogging in Krasnodar in July 2023. Ukrainian media linked him to missile strikes on Vinnytsia that killed 23 people. Rzhitsky was deputy head of Krasnodar's military mobilisation office at his death. Ukrainian intelligence denied involvement but shared details about the attack.

Illia Kyva, a Ukrainian lawmaker who fled to Russia after the invasion began, was found dead near Moscow in December 2023 with a gunshot wound to the head. Kyva had been sentenced to 14 years for treason by a Ukrainian court before his death. Andriy Yusov from Ukraine's military intelligence hinted at similar fates for other traitors but did not specify who killed Kyva.

Sergei Yevsyukov, former head of Olenivka Prison where Ukrainian POWs died in a missile strike, died on December 9 after a car bomb exploded in Donetsk. Ukrainian authorities had charged him with "mass torture." Russian authorities have detained a suspect related to this attack.

Mikhail Shatsky, a Russian missile designer, was reportedly shot dead on December 12 in Moscow's Kuzminsky forest. Shatsky worked on modernising cruise missiles at Moscow Experimental Design Bureau Mars. While Ukrainian media reported his death, Russian news outlets mentioned disturbances in the area without further details.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to see accusations and denials from both sides regarding these high-profile incidents. Each event adds complexity to an already tense situation between the two nations.