December 17, 2024: Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops (RKhBZ), was killed in a bomb explosion in Moscow on Tuesday. The blast occurred as Kirillov was leaving a residential block on Ryazansky Prospekt, located about 7 kilometers southeast of the Kremlin. The bomb, concealed in an electric scooter, detonated as Kirillov and his assistant exited the building, killing both men on the spot.

The Russian Investigative Committee confirmed the deaths, stating that the explosion tragically claimed the life of Kirillov and his aide. The blast caused significant damage to the building, shattering several windows and severely damaging the front door. Emergency response teams quickly cordoned off the area, and a criminal case has been initiated as authorities investigate the incident.

Kirillov, who has been in charge of Russia's radiation, chemical, and biological protection forces since 2017, was a prominent figure in the country’s military establishment. The RKhBZ, a specialized branch of the Russian armed forces, is tasked with defending against chemical, biological, and radioactive threats.

The bombing comes as the conflict in Ukraine, which Russia refers to as its "special military operation," nears its third anniversary. In recent months, Kirillov had become a controversial figure internationally, facing sanctions from the United Kingdom in October over accusations of chemical weapon use in Ukraine. Additionally, Ukrainian prosecutors charged Kirillov in absentia with the alleged use of banned chemical weapons in the ongoing conflict, though Russia has consistently denied these claims.

The motive behind Tuesday's bombing remains unclear, and authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident.