Arrest Made in Connection with General Kirillov's Murder - Russian Investigators
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Moscow, Dec 18 (NationPress) Russian officials have taken into custody an Uzbek national linked to the fatal incident involving a prominent military leader and his aide, as stated by the Russian Investigative Committee on Wednesday.
The detained individual, aged 29, is accused of executing a terrorist attack that led to the deaths of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, commander of the Russian armed forces' radiological, chemical, and biological defense troops, along with his assistant.
As reported by the committee, the suspect was allegedly enlisted by Ukrainian intelligence and provided with an improvised explosive device upon his arrival in Moscow. He reportedly positioned the device on an electric scooter parked outside the building where Kirillov lived.
It is claimed that the suspect rented a vehicle to surveil the general's residence, equipping it with a camera that streamed live footage to the attack coordinators in Dnipro, Ukraine. Following the departure of the two officials from the premises, the suspect triggered the explosive device remotely.
In return for executing the attack, the detainee was promised a reward of 100,000 US dollars and relocation to a European nation, as per the committee's report, according to Xinhua news agency.
Kirillov and his aide lost their lives on Tuesday when the explosive device hidden on the scooter detonated outside their residence.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, remarked on Wednesday that the combat officer Kirillov remained steadfast and loyal to his responsibilities and commitments.
"He was not only a remarkable professional but also an exceptionally educated and knowledgeable individual who possessed an in-depth understanding of his military duties. Characteristics such as reliability, integrity, and responsibility defined him. For many years, he systematically exposed the Anglo-Saxons and NATO for their unlawful actions with substantiated evidence. He concentrated on a domain that these entities sought to manipulate on the global stage, particularly concerning chemical weapons and biological safety," Zakharova stated to the media in Moscow.
The Foreign Ministry representative emphasized that Moscow comprehends the motives behind this recent act of terrorism and recognizes its profound objectives and origins.
"Russia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York will not overlook this act of terrorism during the upcoming December 20 Security Council meeting. Russia has requested this session to address the issues surrounding Western arms supplies to Ukraine. We are confident that those responsible for orchestrating and carrying out the assassination of Igor Kirillov will be identified and held accountable, regardless of their location or identity," she added.
