**Ukrainian Intelligence Behind Assassination of Russian General**
The Ukrainian security service, SBU, has admitted to assassinating the head of Russia’s military radiation, biological and chemical protection forces, Lt Gen Igor Kirillov. The explosives were hidden in an electric scooter and detonated by remote control.
Gen Kirillov was killed outside his apartment block in south-eastern Moscow. His murder is believed to be the highest-ranking military official targeted beyond the combat zone since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.
**Questions Raised About Russian Security**
The operation raises questions about Russian security and how far Ukraine’s capabilities can extend. Choosing a scooter for the attack was a smart move, as they are common in Moscow and attract little attention.
However, it is thought that the perpetrators must have had some sort of visual surveillance to carry out the assassination successfully. This could involve monitoring via camera or watching it in person.
**Previous Attacks on Russian Targets**
This is not the SBU’s first attack on Russian targets. In April 2023, a prominent war blogger was killed at a cafe in St Petersburg after being presented with a sculpture that contained explosives.
In August 2022, Darya Dugina was murdered in a car bomb attack, and two Ukrainian citizens were involved in the attack. All these attacks show the wide range of methods available to Ukrainian special services.
**Not Just Politicians or Military Officials**
It’s not just politicians or military officials who have come under attack. In August 2022, Darya Dugina was murdered in a car bomb attack, and two Ukrainian citizens were involved in the attack.
Only five days ago, a leading Russian missile scientist was shot dead in a forest outside Moscow. The killing is pinned on Ukraine’s military intelligence service, although there was no confirmation.
**Internal Power Struggle?**
Some experts believe it might not be Kyiv that assassinated Lt Gen Kirillov at all. It could be the result of an internal power struggle among the Russian military or the Kremlin’s attempt to remove one of the main witnesses of war crimes.
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