December 24th 2024.
As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine enters its third year, a new level of intensity has been reached with the targeted assassinations of top Russian commanders. It is a testament to the bravery and determination of Ukrainian spies who have taken the fight to the heart of their enemy's territory. The recent killing of one of Russia's top generals, Lt Gen Kirillov, in a scooter bomb attack has sparked outrage in Moscow. The explosion, which occurred in a quiet residential neighborhood, was a clear message from Ukraine that they will not back down.
The day before the attack, the Ukrainian secret service, known as the SBU, had charged Kirillov in absentia for his alleged use of banned chemical weapons. This accusation has been backed up by Ukraine's claim that over 2,000 of their troops have been hospitalized and three have died due to the use of these weapons. In fact, the SBU has documented over 4,800 instances of Russia using chemical weapons since the invasion began in 2022.
In response to Kirillov's death, Russia's security service quickly apprehended a suspect, an Uzbek citizen who they claim was recruited by Ukrainian intelligence. According to the FSB, the suspect was promised a large sum of money and the opportunity to relocate to a European country in exchange for killing Kirillov. He traveled to Moscow, where he obtained a homemade explosive device and placed it on an electric scooter outside the general's residence. The suspect then rented a car and set up a live video feed to his handlers in Ukraine. When Kirillov left his home, the bomb was detonated.
The SBU has justified this targeted killing by labeling Kirillov as a "war criminal," stating that he was a legitimate target due to his orders to use prohibited chemical weapons against Ukrainian soldiers. This type of rhetoric has become commonplace in the ongoing conflict, with both sides justifying their actions by citing the UN Charter's Article 51, which allows for self-defense in the event of an armed attack. However, these clandestine killings only serve to highlight the darker side of modern warfare.
Just last week, Ukraine's intelligence service announced that they had successfully assassinated Mikhail Shatsky, the deputy director of a Moscow-based unit that specializes in developing cruise missiles. If true, this operation demonstrates Ukraine's growing determination to disrupt Russia's war efforts at their source. Russia, on the other hand, has condemned these acts as acts of terrorism, although they themselves have been accused of using toxic agents in combat. It is clear that in this conflict, Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine is the victim.
In the words of the famous playwright William Shakespeare, "everything is fair in love and war." But when does war cross the line into inhumane acts against civilians and military personnel? The killings of top generals and other military personnel, whether in overt or covert operations, can only be seen as a war against humanity. It is a tragic reality that has become all too common in this ongoing conflict.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
