Members of the media, spearheaded by BBC Verify, have been investigating the intricate details behind the death of Russian Lt Gen Igor Kirillov, as attributed to an explosion from an improvised explosive device concealed within an electric scooter in Moscow. Various experts assert that the device's construction demonstrated a high sophistication level, indicating months of preparation.
Analysis of Lt Gen Igor Kirillov's Fatal Attack: A Deep Dive into the Evidence
Analysis of Lt Gen Igor Kirillov's Fatal Attack: A Deep Dive into the Evidence
Subsequent to the assassination of Russian Lt Gen Igor Kirillov, reports have unfolded surrounding the circumstances that led to his death from a suspected improvised explosive device.
As the situation continues to evolve following the death of Russian Lt Gen Igor Kirillov, reports and analyses have emerged to delineate the circumstances surrounding the blast that claimed his life. Kirillov, who has led Russia's Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection troops since 2017, was reportedly targeted by Ukrainian sources, alleging responsibility for the assassination. This attack comes in the wake of sanctions imposed on him by the UK last October, which designated him as a significant promoter of Kremlin disinformation.
Eyewitness reports state that the explosion occurred as Kirillov exited a modern apartment building in southeast Moscow. The incident, as confirmed by Russia's Investigations Committee, involved an explosive device hidden within a scooter parked nearby. Footage authenticated by BBC Verify displayed two individuals departing the building moments before the explosion, their clothing matching that of the bodies discovered post-blast. Visuals captured in the immediate aftermath illustrate an electric scooter amidst the wreckage, largely intact except for its missing handlebars, suggesting the possibility of a fragmentation-based explosion rather than one based on a traditional explosive force.
Experts from Janes, a private open-source investigative organization, commented that the imagery strongly indicates the involvement of an improvised explosive device (IED), which can take various forms and is typically crafted from readily available materials like nails or metal fragments. Further analysis by David Heathcote, an intelligence manager with McKenzie Intelligence, suggested that the attack was likely planned with a high level of sophistication, potentially requiring extensive surveillance of the target before execution.
According to reports from Russian media outlets, speculation arose that a device had been affixed to the scooter's handlebars and detonated remotely. It has been postulated that the explosion may have utilized approximately 300 grams of explosive material, which can cause windows to shatter from about 17 meters away. Witnesses have shared images of debris purportedly ejected from the blast zone, with experts examining them for further evidence.
The apartment block, completed in 2019 and situated in an upscale area, housed several high-end properties available at impressive price points. In verified videos, a crowd of onlookers can be seen surrounding the deceased individuals lying in the snow, with emergency services responding to the scene. Damage to the building is evident, with bricks scattered across the terrain and doors left ajar, signifying the force of the explosion.
As new footage continues to surface, BBC Verify remains dedicated to examining it meticulously to glean further insights into this extraordinary incident, a pivotal moment amid the ongoing tensions in the region.
