Ukrainian Security Sources: Killing of Russian General was a Special Operation; Moscow Threatens Retaliation

Ukrainian security service sources have told the media that the killing of senior Russian general Igor Kirilov, commander of Russia's nuclear, chemical, and biological defense, on Tuesday in Moscow was carried out by this security service during a "special operation." Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, responded by stating that Kyiv's leadership will face "imminent revenge." Kirilov, a high-ranking Russian military official targeted on Russian soil, was killed along with his assistant due to the explosion of an explosive device attached to a "scooter" outside an apartment building in southeastern Moscow. According to a source from the Ukrainian security service, "the killing of General Igor Kirilov, head of the nuclear, chemical, and biological forces of the Russian armed forces, was a special operation by the Ukrainian security service." It was emphasized that "Kirilov was a war criminal and a completely legitimate target, as he ordered the use of banned chemical weapons against the Ukrainian army." Ukrainian security sources, speaking anonymously to other Western media outlets including CNN, CBS, and Reuters, have separately confirmed the planning and execution of the plot to kill this Russian general in Moscow. Kyiv has not yet officially claimed responsibility for this operation. Kirilov had been accused in absentia by Ukrainian officials of war crimes following investigations by the Ukrainian security service. He had been sanctioned by Britain in October for using chemical weapons in Ukraine. The source from the Ukrainian security service stated, "Such a disgraceful end awaits all those who kill Ukrainians. Retribution for war crimes is inevitable." Hours earlier, AFP confirmed from Russian officials that a senior military official had been killed after the explosion of a bomb hidden in a "scooter" outside a building in Moscow. The Russian Investigative Committee, responsible for major investigations in the country, stated that Igor Kirilov, commander of the chemical, biological, and nuclear defense forces of the Russian armed forces, was killed along with his deputy due to the activation of a bomb embedded in a scooter parked near the entrance of a residential building. The United States has imposed a new round of sanctions against Russia and North Korea. The President of Ukraine says he can now send wheat to Syria. Zelensky: More North Korean forces have been deployed in the Kursk region of Russia. Russian airstrikes on Ukraine's energy network. A $500 million military aid package from the United States to Ukraine. Russian attacks on southern and southeastern Ukraine; Zelensky visited the front lines.