Assassination Attempt on Russian General: Ukraine Accused

Russia's Investigative Committee has recently accused Ukrainian intelligence of orchestrating an assassination attempt on Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev in Moscow. The alleged assailant, a man in his mid-60s hailing from the Ternopil region of Ukraine, was reportedly arrested in Dubai after fleeing Moscow. Another suspect designated as an accomplice was also apprehended, while a third is believed to have escaped to Ukraine. The incident occurred early on Friday morning when the attacker fired several shots at General Alekseyev, who is the first deputy head of Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate (the GRU), in a residential building on Volokolamskoye Highway. Reports indicate that Alekseyev has since regained consciousness following surgery, with medical sources stating his life is not in danger. At the scene, a Makarov pistol equipped with a silencer was discovered by investigators. According to Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), the suspect managed to board a flight from Moscow to Dubai immediately after the shooting. Upon his detention, he was returned to Russia where he is now facing charges. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has publicly denied Kyiv's involvement in the attack, stating that Ukraine had nothing to do with the incident. This attack marks a significant escalation in violence directed toward senior figures within the Russian military and security services. General Alekseyev, 64, has a controversial history, notably being involved in negotiations with Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner private mercenary group during the group's mutiny in 2023. His vocal criticisms of Prigozhin's actions at the time, labeling them a coup, have contributed to his high-profile status in the military hierarchy. Moreover, Alekseyev has been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union for his involvement in various cyber activities and the infamous nerve agent attack in Salisbury, England, as part of broader allegations against GRU operatives. The assassination attempt on Alekseyev follows a series of violent incidents targeting senior military officials in Russia. Just last December, another general, Fanil Sarvarov, was killed in a car bombing attributed to similar motives, with officials also pointing the finger at Ukrainian operatives. Sarvarov, who was responsible for operational training within the armed forces, died after a device detonated under his car. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has increasingly manifested in violent confrontations in recent months, with the targeting of military leadership suggesting a new phase of asymmetric warfare. As tensions rise, both Russia and Ukraine continue to accuse each other of aggression, complicating the already volatile relationship between the two nations. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2 • Source 3