Uzbekistan reported contacts with Russia in Kirillov murder case

The Uzbek embassy in Moscow is in contact with the Russian authorities on the detention of a citizen of the republic in the case of murder of two servicemen: the head of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Forces (RCBZ) of the Russian Armed Forces (AF), Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, and his assistant Ilya Polikarpov. This was reported in the republic's diplomatic mission on December 18.

"The diplomatic mission is in contact with the law enforcement authorities of the host country and clarifies information about the detainee on suspicion of committing this act," the embassy said in a Telegram channel.

Terrorist attack by phone call: suspect in the murder of General Kirillov detained

Terrorist testified under interrogation, faces life in prison

Earlier in the day, the Federal Security Service (FSB) reported the detention of a 29-year-old Uzbek citizen in the case of the murder of Kirillov and his assistant. During interrogation, the attacker explained that he was recruited by the Ukrainian security services. The detainee may face punishment up to life imprisonment.

Igor Kirillov and his assistant were killed on the morning of December 17 as a result of detonation of an explosive device planted in a scooter near the entrance. The explosion occurred near a seven-story apartment building on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow. A criminal case of murder, terrorist act and illegal arms trafficking (Article 105, Article 205 and Article 222 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) was opened over the incident.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted that Igor Kirillov had been systematically exposing Western crimes for many years, worked fearlessly and never hid behind the backs of others. In turn, the Russian Foreign Ministry's ambassador-at-large for Ukraine's crimes, Rodion Miroshnik, said that the evidence cited by the general was threatening and painful for Russia's adversaries.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the US had nothing to do with the terrorist attack in Moscow that killed servicemen. Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder also said that the United States was not involved in the attack and did not contribute to it in any way.