Moscow – A high-ranking Russian military intelligence official, Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, was shot several times in Moscow on , authorities have confirmed. The attack, which took place in a residential area on the northwestern outskirts of the city, has prompted an investigation and raised questions about security within Russia’s military establishment.
Alekseyev, who is the deputy chief of Russia’s GRU (Main Directorate of Military Intelligence), was immediately hospitalized after the shooting. His condition remains critical, according to initial reports. Svetlana Petrenko of Russia’s Investigative Committee stated that a criminal case for attempted murder has been opened, and investigators are reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses in an effort to identify the assailant, who remains at large.
The shooting is the latest in a series of attacks targeting senior Russian military figures since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began nearly four years ago. Just over a month ago, Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov was killed by a bomb detonated under his car in Moscow. In April of last year, Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik also died in a car bombing in the Moscow region. The Kremlin has previously blamed Ukraine for orchestrating such attacks, though these claims have not been independently verified.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has already attributed the attempt on Alekseyev’s life to Ukraine, alleging that it is a deliberate attempt by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to derail peace negotiations. Lavrov’s comments, reported by Reuters, came after talks held earlier this week in Abu Dhabi. However, no evidence has been presented to support this claim.
Alekseyev has held a significant position within the Russian military structure, playing a key role in negotiations during the Russian siege of Mariupol in 2022. He was also involved in discussions with the leadership of the Wagner mercenary group during the brief but intense mutiny led by Yevgeny Prigozhin in June 2023. His boss, Igor Kostyukov, is currently leading Russia’s negotiating team in security talks with the United States and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi.
The timing of the attack is particularly noteworthy, coming just after the trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi involving the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia. Following those discussions, Washington and Moscow announced an agreement to reestablish high-level military-to-military dialogue, which had been suspended since 2021. The shooting could potentially complicate efforts to revive communication channels between the two countries.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that President Vladimir Putin has been briefed on the shooting and expressed hope for Alekseyev’s recovery. “We wish first of all that the general survives and recovers. We hope that will be the case,” Peskov told reporters.
Alekseyev was placed under European Union and UK sanctions following accusations that the GRU, under his leadership, was responsible for the 2018 nerve agent attack in Salisbury, UK. This history adds another layer of complexity to the situation, raising questions about potential motives and the broader geopolitical context.
The attack on Alekseyev underscores the increasing vulnerability of high-ranking Russian officials and the potential for escalating tensions within the region. While the identity of the assailant and the motive behind the shooting remain unknown, the incident is likely to further strain relations between Russia and Ukraine and could have significant implications for ongoing peace efforts.
Investigators are continuing their work at the scene on Volokolamsk Highway in Moscow, gathering evidence and seeking to piece together the events leading up to the shooting. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as authorities progress with their inquiries.
