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Russian nuclear defense chief's aide Ilya Polikarpov killed in Moscow explosion

Ilya Polikarpov had been involved in humanitarian activities with TASS and the Russian Heritage Foundation

MOSCOW, December 17. /TASS/. An explosion in southeastern Moscow claimed the life of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov's aide Ilya Polikarpov on Tuesday morning, the spouse of the deceased told TASS.

"Ilya died, leaving us with two young children, aged eight and nine. He was a great patriot and loved his homeland," she said.

Ilya Polikarpov was an aide to the Chief of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Protection Troops, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov. Polikarpov had been involved in humanitarian activities with TASS and the Russian Heritage Foundation. In particular, one of his last contributions was the transfer of funds and equipment to two military units for safe operations in combat conditions in November.

"Ilya was highly responsible and decent, a man of his word. He was dedicated to both family and work. His passing is a huge loss, and we will miss him deeply," said Vladimir Khmelev, advisor to TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov and head of the Russian Heritage Foundation.

Khmelev added that he had been friends with Polikarpov since his youth.

On the morning of December 17, an explosive device planted in a scooter detonated near the entrance of a residential building on Ryazansky Avenue in Moscow, investigators revealed. Kirillov, 54, and his aide Polikarpov were killed in the blast. The Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under Articles 105, 205, and 222 of the Criminal Code (murder, terrorist act, illegal trafficking in weapons and ammunition). Investigators are now conducting operational and search activities to identify the individual responsible for the crime.

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