New Delhi : Russia's nuclear chief Igor Kirillov died in an explosion in Moscow on Tuesday. According to reports, when General Kirillov was coming out of his apartment, a huge explosion took place in a scooter parked nearby. Kirillov along with his assistant was also killed in this explosion.

Explosion at the Presidential Palace in Moscow

This explosion took place just 7 km away from Moscow's presidential palace, the Kremlin. Russia's investigation agency said that 300 grams of TNT was used in the explosion. A case of criminal murder has been registered in this case and investigation has been started. According to media reports, a source associated with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has taken responsibility for this incident.

Russia said revenge will be taken

Igor Kirillov was appointed the head of Russia's nuclear forces in April 2017. He had also been the head of Russia's radiation, chemical and biological weapons departments. The blast was so intense that it shattered the glass windows of all four floors of the building. According to the UN tool, 300 grams of TNT explosive can break a glass window located about 17 meters (55 feet) away. Apart from this, this explosive can also damage a building located 1.3 meters away. After the death of Igor Kirillov, the Deputy Speaker of the Russian Parliament said that his murder would be avenged.

Was accused of making dirty bomb

Igor Kirillov accused Ukraine of making dirty bombs in collaboration with the US in October 2024. Dirty bombs use radioactive material and are inexpensive to make. Earlier, in 2018, he also accused the US of running a secret biological weapons laboratory near the border of Russia and China.

This year, the US accused Russia of using chemical weapons in Ukraine. In response, Kirillov said that Russia had destroyed all its chemical weapons in September 2017 itself, while the US did this in 2023. At the same time, the Security Services of Ukraine (SBU) claimed that Russia has used chemical weapons about 5,000 times so far, out of which more than 700 incidents took place in May 2024. According to the report of the Kiev Independent, on Monday the Ukrainian Security Service convicted Kirillov and sentenced him for using banned chemical weapons in war.