Verified Videos Uncover Key Details About Igor Kirillov’s Death
BBC Verify has authenticated videos and images from Moscow to shed light on the explosion that killed Lt Gen Igor Kirillov, a senior Russian military commander. Kirillov, who headed Russia’s Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection troops since 2017, died early Tuesday in a blast outside a modern apartment building in south-east Moscow.
The explosion was reportedly caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) concealed in a parked electric scooter. Ukrainian sources have claimed responsibility for the attack, which also killed Kirillov’s assistant.
Footage Shows Scooter Explosion Near Kirillov
Verified footage reveals Kirillov and his assistant exiting the apartment building moments before the parked scooter exploded. Captured by a nearby car’s dashboard camera, the blast obscures the view with debris. Further images analyzed show the scooter’s remains amid rubble, lying between the two victims.
Experts from Janes and McKenzie Intelligence suggest the explosion displayed a “decent level of sophistication,” likely involving military-grade explosives such as Semtex. They noted that the device appeared designed to produce fragmentation damage rather than a large blast radius.
Attack Details and Investigative Insights
Russian authorities believe the IED was detonated remotely, likely using a signal from a phone or car fob. Security analysts emphasize the precision required, involving extensive surveillance of Kirillov’s movements. The bomb, estimated to contain 300g of explosives, caused significant damage to the apartment block’s facade and several nearby apartments.
Witness accounts and video evidence captured the aftermath, including a bright flash and the force of the explosion knocking snow off parked cars. Bricks and debris were strewn across the snow-covered street, with doors hanging open just feet from the bodies.
A High-End Residential Area Targeted
The apartment complex, completed in 2019, is considered high-end, with units listed online for around 20 million Roubles (£153,540). The attack has shaken the relatively upscale neighborhood, with at least 10 other apartments affected.
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