Military commander's death in downtown Moscow...Russia Warns Ukraine of Retaliation

[Anchor]
A high-ranking Russian military official was killed by a bomb in downtown Moscow.

It is believed to be a Ukrainian operation, and the Russian government has warned of retaliation.

Reporter Lee Kyung-ah reports.

[Reporter]
Two people walk out of the apartment.

After a while, a powerful explosion occurs with flashes of light.

The scooter that was parked next to the entrance exploded.

The two dead are Commander Igor Kirilov and an aide in charge of Russian fire and defense weapons.

The explosion impact broke the glass to the fourth floor of the apartment building and broke several cars.

[Local resident: At first, I thought cement was spilled or something like that. However, the explosion sound was so loud that I found out that it was not construction. It was really scary.]

Russian investigators believe the explosive device was remotely controlled and have launched a manhunt through CCTV footage.

[Svetlana Petrenko / Spokesperson for Russia's Investigative Committee: We are investigating in accordance with provisions related to murder, terrorism and illegal arms trafficking. Investigators and forensic experts are participating in investigation activities and on-site searches to find out all the circumstances of the crime.

Ukrainian security service sources told foreign media that the removal of Kirilov was part of a special operation.

The Ukrainian government, which previously charged Kyrylov with using banned chemical weapons, has not made an official statement.

Russia is determined that a senior military officer's death in the middle of the capital cannot be let go.

[Dmitri Medvedev / Vice-Chairman of the Russian National Security Council: Everything must be done to bring down the sponsors of Ukraine's Kyiv. I'm sure these sponsors know. This is Ukraine's military and political leadership.]

Meanwhile, the British government has imposed additional sanctions as Russia continues to sell its crude on ships disguised as shipments from other countries.

The British government has designated 20 more ships involved as subject to sanctions, saying the profits made are becoming illegal war funds.

I'm YTN Lee Kyungah.