A senior Russian military official was killed on Tuesday when an explosive device hidden in a scooter detonated outside a building in Moscow, according to investigators. Igor Kirillov, the commander of Russia’s armed forces’ chemical, biological, and radiation defense troops, was killed in the blast, along with his deputy.
The explosion occurred as the two men were leaving a building in southeastern Moscow early that morning.
The Russian Investigative Committee, which handles major investigations in the country, reported that “an explosive device planted in a scooter parked near the entrance of a residential building was activated on the morning of December 17 on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow.”
The blast shattered several windows of the building and caused significant damage to the front door, as shown in images shared by Russian media.
Kirillov, who had held his position since 2017, was sanctioned by Britain in October due to his alleged involvement in the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. The explosion occurs as Russia’s so-called special military operation in Ukraine approaches its third anniversary.
