Uzbekistan National Arrested in Connection with Moscow General's Assassination

Russia's Investigative Committee has detained an Uzbek man alleged to have played a role in the assassination of General Igor Kirillov, who was killed by a remotely detonated explosive device in Moscow. The suspect claims he was recruited by Ukrainian special services, a charge Ukraine has responded to by labeling Kirillov a "legitimate target."

Russia has announced the detention of a 29-year-old Uzbek man in connection with the assassination of senior general Igor Kirillov, who was killed outside his apartment in Moscow. Authorities describe Kirillov, the head of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Forces, as the victim of a remotely detonated explosive device concealed in an electric scooter.

The Investigative Committee (SK) reports that the unnamed suspect has confessed to being recruited by Ukrainian special services, although no supporting evidence has been presented. Notably, Ukraine's security service, the SBU, claimed responsibility for the killing, condemning Kirillov as a war criminal involved in the alleged mass use of banned chemical weapons.

The day before the assassination, Ukraine had charged Kirillov in absentia, naming him as "responsible for the mass use of banned chemical weapons," charges that Moscow has vehemently denied. Following the incident, Kremlin spokesman expressed President Vladimir Putin's condolences for the general’s death.

The SK revealed that the suspect, who they claim acted as a terrorist, monitored Kirillov's location using a rental vehicle equipped with a camera that transmitted video back to organizers based in Dnipro, Ukraine. Upon Kirillov's and his assistant Ilya Polikarpov's departure from the building, the bomb was detonated.

Accompanying the announcement, the Federal Security Services (FSB) of Russia released an interrogation video of the suspect. In the footage, he appears to admit to negotiations for a $100,000 reward and a European passport in exchange for the assassination. However, questions remain regarding the circumstances under which his confession was made.

Kirillov's murder marks a significant development in the ongoing conflict, being one of the most prominent military figures assassinated in Russia since the beginning of the Ukrainian invasion in February 2022. He had previously been sanctioned by the UK over allegations of utilizing chemical weapons in Ukraine, while Ukraine's SBU reported over 4,800 incidents involving such weapons under his command. Moscow, however, asserts that it dismantled its chemical weapons stockpile by 2017.

The scene of the attack was marked by destruction, with photographs showing a damaged building entrance and two body bags visible on the street. Additionally, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced plans to address Kirillov's assassination at the United Nations Security Council meeting on Friday, as officials reiterated their commitment to identifying and prosecuting those behind the act.