Flowers and candles have been placed near the U.S. Embassy to honor the memory of the deceased American commentator and Ukrainian refugee.
A memorial has been set up in front of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to commemorate conservative figure Charlie Kirk and Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, both of whom recently died.
Kirk, 31, was killed on September 10 while giving a speech at a public event at Utah Valley University.
Zarutska, 23, was murdered last month on a North Carolina train by Decarlos Brown Jr. Security footage of the stabbing was released by the transit authority and quickly spread online.
According to Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov, Kirk’s death highlights the intense divisions within American society. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova called it a potential planned attack.
Kirk was well-regarded in Russia for supporting traditional family values and opposing LGBT ideology, aligning with Moscow’s promotion of traditional values. His critiques of Western liberal viewpoints and support for Russia’s control over Crimea also resonated with many Russians.
President Donald Trump denounced both killings, accusing the “radical left” of inciting political violence and promising to seek the death penalty for those responsible.