Senior Russian General Apparently Killed By Ukraine

Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov was killed early Tuesday on Russian soil. A scooter that Kirillov was on was blown up in Moscow. Ukraine has claimed responsibility for the killing, one of the most audacious actions they have taken since Russia’s invasion.

Kirillov is the most senior Russian commander to be killed in Moscow since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began. He was the commander of the unit designed to protect Russia’s troops from chemical, radiological, and biological attack.

Mr. Kirillov was the head of the Russian Armed Forces’ Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops. While Ukraine’s claim that they were responsible for Kirillov’s death has yet to be independently confirmed, we have not heard any statements refuting Ukraine’s claim by Russian authorities.

This comes as we are closing in on 3 years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with minimal Russian success. The Russians have taken about 20% of Ukraine’s land, but are far from taking the whole country.

In the meantime, Russia has thoroughly degraded their international reputation, their military, and the idea that they were among the top powers in the world. This killing is just another example of their lack of power in the world.

Russia seems to be too far in to stop, and their only hope is that they can slowly wear down Ukraine, and US interest in the conflict. While many Americans want to stop sending aid to Ukraine, and want a peace deal, there will be no peace deal that allows Russia to swallow Ukraine whole.

President-elect Donald Trump will make sure that Ukraine as an independent country continues to exist, and if Russia tries anything after a possible deal is made, he will punish them. In the meantime, Ukraine is continuing to degrade Russia’s military, and kill top Russian commanders.

Will this spark a retaliation? Unlikely, but with Russia, anything is possible.