russian General Killed in apparent Targeted Attack
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A prominent Russian Lieutenant General, Igor Kirilov, commander of the Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Protection troops (RKBZ), was killed in a bombing on December 17, 2024, according to multiple reports. the attack, which also claimed the life of Kirilov’s aide, occurred near his apartment building in Moscow.The incident is raising notable international concern and fueling speculation about potential escalation in the ongoing conflict.
Mark Galeotti, a leading expert on Russia and head of the Beacon Intelligence consultancy, described the event in the British Spectator. He stated, “Another fell. This morning (December 17, 2024), Lieutenant General Igor Kirilov – commander of the Radiological, chemical and Biological Protection (RKBZ) troops, was leaving his apartment block on Ryazansky Prospekt, accompanied by his aide, when a bomb planted in an electric scooter, blew up.” Galeotti highlighted the targeted nature of the attack, suggesting it was a deliberate action against a high-profile military figure.
Galeotti emphasized the timing of the attack, noting, “The moment of performing the operation is hardly accidental.” Kirilov, 54, had been under british sanctions as 2017 due to his alleged involvement in the use of chemical weapons in Syria and his role in disseminating disinformation about Ukrainian biological warfare laboratories. The assassination comes amidst heightened tensions and accusations of war crimes on both sides of the conflict.
The Ukrainian Security Service (SSU) had accused Kirilov just the day before of being responsible for the “massive use of banned chemical weapons.” Kiev alleges that over 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers have required hospital treatment due to exposure to asphyxiating agents, initially tear gas and later the more potent chloropicrin. Chloropicrin, a chemical weapon used in World War I, causes severe lung, eye, and skin irritation, and reports indicate at least three Ukrainian soldiers have died from its effects.
Galeotti further explained the past context of chloropicrin’s use, stating, “then, as now, chloropicrin worked to clear enemy trenches because it caused severe irritation to the lungs, eyes and skin, and worse.” the use of such weapons raises serious concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian law and the escalating nature of the conflict.
The assassination of Lieutenant General Kirilov marks a significant growth in the ongoing conflict and underscores the high stakes involved. The incident is likely to have far-reaching consequences and will undoubtedly be closely scrutinized by international observers and policymakers.The inquiry into the attack is ongoing,and further details are expected to emerge in the coming days.
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Escalating Shadow War: Targeted Killings and Cyberattacks rock Russia
A series of high-profile assassinations and escalating cyber warfare is adding a new, dangerous dimension to the conflict in Ukraine. The targeting of Russian military officials, government figures, and even those perceived as supporting the Kremlin’s war effort has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation and destabilization.
The recent killing of a high-ranking Russian officer,General Kirilov,in a targeted attack away from the front lines,marks a significant escalation. “Kirilov is the highest-ranking officer killed in a targeted action away from the front line,” notes a recent British intelligence report. This incident follows a pattern of similar attacks, including the car bombing of Sergey Evsyukov, a former prison warden linked to alleged war crimes, earlier this month. “Kiev believes Moscow carried out the attack to destroy evidence of torture and other war crimes, although this has not been confirmed,” according to security analyst Mark Galeotti.
Other high-profile victims include Valery Trankovsky, Chief of Staff of the 41st Brigade of Missile Ships and Cutters of the Russian Black sea Fleet, killed in Sevastopol in November; Andriy Korotky, head of security at Ukraine’s Zaporozhye NPP, killed in October; and blogger Vladlen Tatarsky, killed in April 2023. These attacks, often involving car bombs, highlight the growing sophistication and reach of the shadow war.
The cyber dimension is equally concerning. Russia’s media and internet regulator, Roskomnadzor, has reported a surge in cyberattacks originating from Ukraine, aimed at accessing classified data and disrupting critical infrastructure. “About 70% of the investigated incidents were related to the activities of pro-Ukrainian groups,” according to estimates. These actions, while partly retaliatory, also serve a clear political purpose, analysts suggest.
the Kremlin’s response has been swift and often dramatic. Following General Kirilov’s assassination, Russian President Vladimir putin stated, during his annual press conference on December 19, that “Ukraine has repeatedly committed terrorist acts against Russian citizens.” Prominent Russian senator Vladimir Chizhov went further, stating, ”the terrorist act was a gesture of desperation by the Kyiv regime,” and even suggesting increased scooter control in Moscow as a security measure. Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry medvedev, also issued a statement on Telegram, though the content was not specified in the original report.
Galeotti argues that these actions, while not ending the war, aim to create a critical mass of dissent within Russia. “By targeting commanders,especially those accused of war crimes,and individuals supporting the kremlin’s rule in the occupied territories,Kiev wants to demoralize those on whom the war directly depends,” he explains. The hope is to encourage more officers, if not to oppose the war, at least to avoid active participation.
The ongoing conflict extends beyond the battlefield, encompassing a complex interplay of targeted killings, cyber warfare, and details operations. The implications for regional stability and global security are profound,demanding careful observation and analysis.
death of Russian General Fuels International Tensions
the death of a prominent Russian general has sparked a heated international debate, raising questions about war crimes, state-sponsored violence, and the escalating conflict in Ukraine. The incident has drawn sharp reactions from various global news outlets and prominent figures, highlighting the complex and volatile geopolitical landscape.
The Times of London published an editorial characterizing the general’s death as “a legitimate act of defense carried out by a threatened state,” asserting that the killing was “an understandable act against an aggressor.” This stance has fueled calls for continued western support for Ukraine’s self-defense efforts.
Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president, responded with a scathing rebuke, labeling The Times journalists “scab jackals who fainthearted hid behind an editorial” and accusing them of complicity in crimes against Russia. He issued an ominous warning: “Does it make sense? Absolutely! In this regard, be careful! As ther’s a lot going on in London.”
Medvedev’s veiled threat is widely interpreted as a reference to the 2006 assassination of Alexander Litvinenko, a former Russian FSS officer, by polonium-210 poisoning. The European court of Human Rights later found Russia guilty of Litvinenko’s murder.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) alleges that the deceased general oversaw the use of chemical weapons over 4,800 times. The BBC reports that the SSU claims Russian forces deployed drones to drop combat poisons on Ukrainian positions. An August investigation by the Kyiv Independent corroborated these claims, noting the effectiveness of gas attacks in allowing Russian forces to seize Ukrainian positions without significant destruction.
The Daily Telegraph linked the general to the 2018 Novichok poisoning of Sergei Skripal in Salisbury,England,suggesting his troops provided the means for the assassination attempt and trained the Russian agents involved. The Daily Telegraph further alleges that the general was more recently accused by Ukrainian forces of producing “dirty radiological bombs.”
Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, a chemical weapons expert and former commanding officer of the UK’s Combined Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regiment, described the general as “a truly evil man who contributed to the commission of crimes against humanity around the world.” He added that the general’s death represents a significant blow to Vladimir Putin, further weakening his already compromised position following setbacks in Syria. The Daily Telegraph concludes that Putin’s inability to protect even his most loyal supporters underscores his weakening power.
(Source: Adapted from international news reports)
Shadow War Ravages Moscow: Assassination of General Sparking International Concern
the assassination of Lieutenant General Igor Kirilov, commander of Russia’s Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Protection troops (RKBZ), in a bombing near his Moscow apartment on December 17, 2024, has sent shockwaves through the international community, raising concerns about the escalating conflict in Ukraine.
Targeted Killing: ACalculated Strike
Mark Galeotti, a leading expert on Russia and head of the Beacon Intelligence consultancy, described the attack in a recent article for the British Spectator. According to Galeotti, the bombing, which also claimed the life of Kirilov’s aide, was a deliberate act targeting a high-ranking military figure.
“Another fell. This morning (December 17, 2024), Lieutenant General Igor Kirilov – commander of the Radiological, chemical and Biological Protection (RKBZ) troops, was leaving his apartment block on Ryazansky Prospekt, accompanied by his aide, when a bomb planted in an electric scooter blew up,” Galeotti wrote. He stressed the significance of the timing, pointing out that Kirilov had been under British sanctions as 2017 due to his alleged involvement in the use of chemical weapons in Syria and the spread of disinformation about Ukrainian bioweapons labs.
Escalating tensions and Accusations of War Crimes
The assassination comes amidst heightened tensions and accusations of war crimes on both sides of the conflict. Just a day before the attack, the Ukrainian Security Service (SSU) accused kirilov of orchestrating the “massive use of banned chemical weapons.” Kyiv alleges that over 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers have required hospitalization due to exposure to asphyxiating agents, including tear gas and the potent chloropicrin – a chemical weapon used in World War I known to cause severe lung, eye, and skin irritation.
A Pattern of targeted Killings
Kirilov’s death is not an isolated incident. It reflects a disturbing pattern of targeted killings and escalating cyberwarfare that is adding a new, dangerous dimension to the conflict.
A recent British intelligence report highlighted the growing trend, noting that Kirilov is “the highest-ranking officer killed in a targeted action away from the front line.” This follows a series of similar attacks, including the car bombing of Sergey Evsyukov, a former prison warden linked to alleged war crimes, earlier this month.
“Kiev believes Moscow carried out the attack to destroy evidence of torture and other war crimes, even though this has not been confirmed,” according to security analyst Mark Galeotti.
The Cyber Front
Beyond targeted killings, the conflict is also playing out in the digital realm. Russia’s media regulator, Roskomnadzor, has reported a surge in cyberattacks originating from Ukraine, aimed at penetrating classified data and disrupting critical infrastructure.
These actions, while partly retaliatory, also serve a clear political purpose, analysts suggest.
Kremlin Response and International Implications
The Kremlin has reacted swiftly to these incidents. Following General Kirilov’s assassination, Russian President Putin denounced what he called “repeated terrorist acts against Russian citizens” by Ukraine.
prominent Russian figures,including Senator Vladimir Chizhov and Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev,have also issued condemnations,suggesting a hardening stance against Ukraine. Security expert Mark Galeotti argues that these targeted killings are strategically aimed at undermining Moscow’s war effort by demoralizing key personnel and generating dissent within Russia.
The assassination of Lt. General Kirilov and the broader pattern of targeted killings and cyberwarfare signals a dangerous escalation in the conflict. The implications for regional stability and global security are profound, demanding close monitoring and a coordinated international response.
