Moscow [Russia]: Russian authorities have arrested a suspect in connection with the killing of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, and his aide, Ilya Polikarpov, in a bomb blast in Moscow, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The Investigative Committee of Russia announced on Wednesday that the suspect, a 29-year-old Uzbek national, is accused of orchestrating the attack that took place on Tuesday morning. According to the statement, the suspect claimed during interrogation that he had been “recruited by Ukrainian special forces.”
Kirillov, 54, was killed outside an apartment building when a bomb concealed in an electric scooter exploded. Russian reports indicate that the bomb was triggered remotely. Images from the scene showed shattered windows and scorched walls.
A source within Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed to Al Jazeera that the agency was behind the attack, though Ukrainian officials have not yet provided an official comment on the incident.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) released footage of the suspect’s interrogation, stating he faces a potential life sentence. According to the FSB, the suspect was promised a reward of $100,000 and the opportunity to relocate to a European Union country in exchange for carrying out the attack.
In its first public statement about the incident, the Kremlin accused Ukraine of orchestrating the bombing. “It is once again confirmed that the Kyiv regime does not shy away from terrorist methods,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, as reported by Al Jazeera.
The attack comes amid heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Notably, the incident occurred a day after Ukrainian prosecutors sentenced Kirillov in absentia for Russia’s alleged use of banned chemical weapons during its military operations.