Uzbek national accused in assassination of Russian General in Moscow

The suspect is accused of arranging the assassination of Igor Kirillov, the head of the Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defense Forces of the Russian Armed Forces, and his assistant, Ilya Polykarpov. The attack reportedly occurred on December 17. Russian authorities allege that the plot was directed by Ukraine’s special services, which promised the perpetrator a $100,000 reward and safe passage to a European Union country.

According to reports, the suspect confessed during interrogation that he had been recruited by Ukrainian intelligence. In return for carrying out the attack, he was guaranteed financial compensation and relocation to a European state.

The Russian Investigative Committee’s statement detailed how the suspect traveled to Moscow under instructions from Ukrainian operatives. He allegedly planted a homemade explosive device on an electric scooter parked near the residential building where General Kirillov lived. To monitor the target’s movements, the suspect rented a car equipped with a surveillance camera, providing live footage to handlers based in Dnipro, Ukraine. Once a video signal confirmed that the target had left the building, the explosive device was remotely detonated.

Russian authorities are continuing to investigate the case and are working to identify other individuals involved in planning the attack. The FSB has emphasized that the alleged perpetrator was incentivized not only by monetary compensation but also by the promise of a secure future abroad.