Uzbek Man Detained in Moscow Over General’s Killing, Russian Authorities Report

A 29-year-old Uzbek man has been arrested in connection with the murder of senior general Igor Kirillov and his deputy in Moscow, according to Russia’s security service.

The chief of the Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Defense Forces (NBC), Lt Gen Igor Kirillov, was outside a residential block early Tuesday when a remote detonation occurred from an explosive device concealed in a scooter.

According to state media outlets, the Russian security service claimed that Ukrainian intelligence had recruited the unidentified suspect.

The Ukrainian security service has previously stated that it was responsible for the murder.

According to the Ukrainian source, Kirillov, the head of Russia’s chemical weapons program, was “a legitimate target” and was accused of committing war crimes.

In absentia, Ukraine accused Kirillov, 54, of being “responsible for the mass use of banned chemical weapons” on Monday, the day before the murder. The accusations are denied by Russia.

According to the public relations center of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), the 29-year-old who was arrested was “suspected of committing a terrorist act” on Wednesday.

The FSB claimed that in exchange for killing Kirillov, the suspect had been “guaranteed” a $100,000 reward and authorization to relocate to the EU.

It also stated that he landed in Moscow and was given a handmade bomb device at the direction of Ukraine.

According to the FSB, he parked the electric scooter with the explosive device on it at the entrance to the residential complex where Kirillov resided.

He then rented a car to keep an eye on Kirillov’s home and set up a camera to provide a live video feed to his handlers in Dnipro, Ukraine.

According to the statement, the suspect set off the explosive when they witnessed Kirillov leave the house.

“He explained that he was recruited by the Ukrainian special services” during “interrogation,” according to a statement.