MOSCOW — A senior Russian military official was killed on Tuesday after an explosive device hidden in a scooter detonated outside a building in southeastern Moscow, according to Russian investigators.
The explosion claimed the life of Igor Kirillov, the commander of Russia’s chemical, biological, and radiation defense troops, along with his deputy. The blast occurred early in the morning as the two men exited a residential building on Ryazansky Avenue.
The Russian Investigative Committee, which handles major investigations, confirmed the incident, saying: “An explosive device planted in a scooter parked near the entrance of a residential building was activated.”
Images from the scene, shared by Russian media, showed shattered windows and a damaged front door caused by the explosion.
Kirillov, who had held his post since 2017, was recently sanctioned by Britain in October over the alleged use of chemical weapons in Ukraine.
The incident occurs as Moscow’s so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine approaches its third anniversary.