Top Russian nuclear defense general assassinated in Moscow blast

Lt. General Igor Kirillov, commander of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Defence Forces, was killed by a bomb in Moscow today (Tuesday).

Russian media sources confirmed that the explosion was triggered by a device planted in an electric scooter, positioned at the entrance to Kirillov’s apartment in the Ryazansky district of the Russian capital. The blast also claimed the lives of two of his deputies.

Kirillov, 54, had held the position for the past seven years. He was known for his controversial reports, which accused Ukraine and the United States of using chemical weapons in the ongoing conflict initiated by Russia.

Additionally, he was outspoken in his claims that the US was operating a network of biological labs in Ukraine and elsewhere, which he alleged posed a threat to civilian populations.

* Arutz 7 contributed to this article.