The invisible front beyond Ukraine and Russia's borders
22 December 2024
The invisible war between Ukrainian and Russian intelligence extends far beyond the frontlines. Ukrainian special services conduct daring operations: explosions at airfields, the elimination of Igor Kirillov in Moscow. This hidden fight turns the areas behind the frontlines into a new battlefield.
A striking example of Ukrainian intelligence operations was the assassination of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov in Moscow on 17 December. Gen. Kirillov, who was Moscow's chemical weapons chief, was killed by an improvised explosive device planted in a scooter near his home. The Ukrainian security service of Ukraine stated that Kirillov was "a war criminal and a legitimate target".
Russian special services are also active on Ukrainian territory, organising arson attacks on military vehicles. Since the beginning of 2024, more than 180 such incidents have been recorded, according to Ukrainian authorities.
 | Daria Matviichuk The battlefield is no longer only at the frontline, but also in the capitals of both countries in war. High-profile strikes, like the killing of Russian general Igor Kirillov in Moscow and acts of arson or sabotage within Ukraine, show how no place is truly safe. |
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