Russian General Igor Kirillov Assassinated in Moscow

Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, was assassinated in Moscow by an explosive device concealed in an electric scooter, killing him and his assistant. The attack, attributed to Ukrainian intelligence, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, as Kirillov was previously charged in absentia by Ukraine for war crimes related to chemical weapons use. Kremlin spokesperson Maria Zakharova praised Kirillov posthumously, framing him as a defender against Western aggression, despite his controversial history. The incident has led to increased calls for revenge within Russian leadership and is being investigated as a terrorist attack by Russian authorities. Ukraine has defended the assassination as a legitimate military action against a war criminal, asserting that Kirillov was a key figure in Russia's alleged use of banned chemical weapons during the conflict. The UK had previously sanctioned Kirillov for his role in the deployment of toxic agents on the battlefield, further highlighting the geopolitical tensions surrounding this event.