Russian General Igor Kirillov Killed in Moscow Blast

Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia's Troops of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense, was killed in a blast in Moscow on December 17, with the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) believed to be behind the attack. The explosion was caused by a bomb hidden in an electric scooter parked outside a residential building, killing both Kirillov and his assistant. Ukrainian sources claim Kirillov was a legitimate target due to his role in allegedly deploying chemical weapons against Ukrainian forces. This marks a significant escalation, as Kirillov is the most senior Russian military officer assassinated in Russia amidst the ongoing conflict. Following the incident, the Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case, and security measures for top military officials are expected to be reviewed. Analysts suggest that this incident is likely to provoke retaliation from Moscow, as it poses a substantial embarrassment for President Putin.