The commander of Russia’s nuclear defense forces was killed in an explosion in Moscow caused by a device hidden in a motorcycle, officials said

MOSCOW – The head of Russia’s nuclear, biological and chemical defense forces, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, was killed along with his deputy early Tuesday in an explosion in Moscow, Russia’s Investigative Committee said.

Agence France-Presse quoted investigators as saying that an explosive device hidden in an electronic motorcycle exploded outside a residential building while the two men were leaving the building.

“Investigators, forensic experts and operational services are working at the scene,” commission spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said in a statement. He added, “Investigation and research activities are underway to determine all the circumstances surrounding this crime.”

The Commission is conducting major responsible investigations in Russia.

A Ukrainian court sentenced Kirillov in absentia on December 16 on charges of using chemical weapons banned in Ukraine during his rule. Russian military operation in Ukraine Which started in February 2022.

Ukraine’s security service, the SBU, said it had recorded more than 4,800 uses of chemical weapons on the battlefield since February 2022, especially K-1 combat grenades.

During the roughly three-year operation, Russia made small but steady territorial gains in the roughly one-fifth of Ukraine it already controls.

Agence France-Presse indicates that Kirillov has remained in his position since 2017.