By Smartencylopedia with Agencies
Ukraine’s military intelligence has claimed responsibility for the targeted killing of a high-ranking Russian general in Moscow—the latest and most high-profile assassination in a string of strikes orchestrated by Kyiv’s shadowy security services.
The Latest Strike: Nuclear General Killed
Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia’s nuclear, chemical, and biological protection troops, was killed outside an apartment building in Moscow, along with his assistant, after a bomb concealed in an electric scooter detonated. Russia’s Investigative Committee confirmed the incident, which occurred just days after Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) issued a warrant in absentia for Kirillov, accusing him of war crimes.
Kirillov was alleged to have overseen the use of banned chemical weapons against Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline. While Ukrainian authorities stopped short of officially claiming responsibility, sources within the intelligence network reportedly confirmed the SBU’s involvement.
Kirillov’s assassination is expected to send shockwaves through Russia’s military leadership, prompting an urgent reassessment of security protocols for high-ranking officials and renewed calls for retaliation from the Kremlin.
The attack highlights the growing sophistication and boldness of Ukraine’s security apparatus, often compared to Israel’s Mossad for its ability to execute clandestine missions beyond enemy lines.
A Trail of Assassinations
The killing of General Kirillov follows a series of high-profile attacks attributed to Ukraine’s security forces in recent years, targeting Russian military officials, operatives, and pro-Kremlin figures.
Valery Trankovsky – November 2024
On November 13, Valery Trankovsky, chief of staff of the 41st Missile Brigade of the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet, was killed in a car bombing in Sevastopol, Crimea. A device attached beneath his car detonated, severing his legs and causing fatal blood loss. Ukrainian sources alleged that Trankovsky had ordered missile strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine.
Vladlen Tatarsky – April 2023
In April 2023, hardline military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky, real name Maxim Fomin, was killed in a bomb explosion during a public event in St. Petersburg. The bomb, hidden in a bust resembling Tatarsky, detonated as he addressed an audience.
The SBU later hinted at involvement, with operatives reportedly duping an intermediary into delivering the explosive statuette. Tatarsky, a vocal supporter of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, was targeted for his military service and incendiary rhetoric advocating for the destruction of Ukrainians.
Stanislav Rzhitsky – July 2023
On July 10, 2023, former submarine officer Stanislav Rzhitsky was gunned down while jogging in Krasnodar, southern Russia. Rzhitsky, who allegedly ordered a missile strike that killed 23 Ukrainian civilians, was shot seven times by an unknown assailant. Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) shared details of the attack but refrained from claiming responsibility.
Darya Dugina – August 2022
In August 2022, a car bomb killed Darya Dugina, a state journalist and daughter of ultranationalist ideologue Alexander Dugin. While Ukraine denied involvement, U.S. officials later suggested Kyiv was behind the attack, which was seen as a symbolic blow to Russia’s nationalist movement.
The Shadow War
Lt. Gen. Vasyl Malyuk, the head of Ukraine’s SBU, has acknowledged orchestrating numerous assassinations, describing them as missions to eliminate war criminals and collaborators. “We target those who threaten Ukraine,” Malyuk said in a recent interview. However, the SBU rarely claims responsibility, maintaining plausible deniability.
In November 2024, Ukrainian intelligence sources claimed the killing of Mikhail Shatsky, a Russian missile expert involved in modernizing strikes against Ukraine. Shatsky was found shot dead near Moscow, his body discovered in a forest.
Malyuk hinted at the SBU’s evolving capabilities, underscoring Ukraine’s resolve to strike at the heart of Russia’s military machine—even as the war grinds on.
What’s Next?
The killing of General Kirillov represents a major escalation in Ukraine’s shadow war against Russia, marking a shift toward targeting the highest echelons of the Kremlin’s military leadership.
With Moscow reeling from the latest attack, analysts anticipate retaliatory measures and heightened security across Russia. Ukraine’s intelligence operations, however, appear undeterred, signaling Kyiv’s intent to bring the war directly to Russia’s doorstep.