The death of Russian General Igor Kirillov, head of the radiation, chemical and biological defense forces, shook not only Russia, but also the international community. His death from an explosive device planted in a scooter near his home came the day after the Security Service of Ukraine accused him of war crimes, including the use of poison gas. European media are actively analyzing this event, discussing its possible connection with the accusations, the political situation in Russia and the impact on the international context.
The Independent – Great Britain. London’s The Independent shares the following observation:
“It is possible to replace even very high-ranking officials. However, demonstrating that even such high-ranking officers are vulnerable can deal a blow to the regime’s reputation and have an even greater impact on the enemy’s morale. The fact that the Russian authorities hastened to place the blame for the assassination of General Kirillov, which happened before residential building in Moscow, in Anglo-Saxon, shows that the Kremlin does not want to acknowledge the merit of this murder for Ukraine alone. It is much better to blame James Bond than to admit that a hated enemy in the person of Ukrainians is capable of carrying out such strikes even in Moscow itself.”
Economic newspaper – Чехия. The Prague Hospodářské noviny gives the following comment:
“General Kyrylov was a high-ranking military officer, the commander of a whole separate type of troops. Thus, he is the first Russian military officer of such a high rank to be eliminated (presumably) by Ukrainians. The fact that Ukraine is capable of delivering such precise strikes in Moscow should be of great concern to the Russian leadership, – but unfortunately it won’t change the dynamics of the war.There is only one person whose death could change anything, but she is from February 2022 hides in its innumerable bunkers and receives visitors at endlessly long tables.”
La Repubblica – Italy. Rome’s La Repubblica points out the following: Ukrainian sources openly say that the SBU is behind the murder of the Russian general:
“These are Israeli methods,” Ukrainian analysts say, quoting a magic word that is most often used by those who want to point out how to protect oneself from the Russians: not to ask NATO for protection, but to turn society into a military machine capable of strike anywhere.This time there is no need to resort to fancy wording to point out the perpetrator.The assassination with explosives was special SBU operation, agency sources openly state.
… If there is one thing that special services do not usually do, it is to take credit for such audacious actions.”
Interia – Poland. The Interia portal notes with concern that the war has changed us all:
“Former president and current propagandist Dmytro Medvedev has already announced that there will be revenge. But we already know that the successful actions of Ukraine are followed by a retaliatory blow from Russia, and, as a rule, aimed at the civilian population of Ukraine. The reaction to the impressive the action in Moscow shows how much we are, unfortunately, used to this war. In a few years, it has changed us, and we don’t even realize it. The initial shock has passed, means mass information keeps him on a chain, while life goes on in the meantime.”
