What's happened
General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia's chemical and biological defense forces, was killed in a scooter explosion in Moscow on December 17, 2024. His assistant also died in the blast. Kirillov had recently been sentenced in absentia by a Ukrainian court for using banned chemical weapons in Ukraine.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, General Igor Kirillov was killed in a scooter explosion in Moscow, marking a significant event in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The Associated Press noted that Kirillov had been sentenced in absentia by a Ukrainian court for using banned chemical weapons, emphasizing the legal ramifications of his actions during the conflict. The Independent echoed these sentiments, highlighting the implications of Kirillov's death for Russia's military operations and the potential for increased tensions in the region.
How we got here
The incident follows ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, particularly since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. Kirillov's recent sentencing highlights the international scrutiny of Russia's military actions.
More on these topics
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Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
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Igor Leonidovich Kirillov was a Soviet and Russian news presenter, announcer and actor. He was a news anchor for Soviet Central Television and announcer for the CT USSR news program Vremya for 30 years.
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Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.