A top Russian military intelligence general, Vladimir Alekseyev, was shot in Moscow on , and remains hospitalized. The attack has prompted accusations from Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who blamed Ukraine for the attempted assassination, alleging it was an effort to disrupt ongoing peace negotiations.
According to Russian investigators, Alekseyev, the deputy head of Moscow’s GRU military intelligence, was shot several times in his apartment building in northeast Moscow. The assailant fled the scene immediately after the shooting. Initial reports indicated Alekseyev was in critical condition, having lost a significant amount of blood, but subsequent reports on , indicate he underwent successful surgery and regained consciousness, though he remains under medical supervision.
The Kremlin has stated that President Vladimir Putin has been informed of the incident and that security services are investigating. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the inherent risks faced by military commanders during wartime but emphasized the responsibility of security services to ensure their protection.
Lavrov’s Accusations and Peace Talks
Sergei Lavrov directly accused Ukraine of orchestrating the attack, characterizing it as a “terrorist act” intended to derail the negotiation process. This accusation was made without providing supporting evidence. The timing of the attack coincides with recent U.S.-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine held in Abu Dhabi, where an agreement was reached on , to exchange 314 prisoners.
Who is Vladimir Alekseyev?
Vladimir Alekseyev has a long history within Russian military intelligence. Born in what is now Ukraine, he has spent his entire career in Russia, rising to the position of deputy head of the GRU. He was reportedly involved in Russia’s military operations in Syria, leading intelligence efforts in the Middle East. He also played a role in negotiations following the 2023 uprising of the Wagner mercenary group, engaging with its then-leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin.
Alekseyev has been subject to international sanctions. The U.S. Imposed sanctions on him for alleged Russian cyber interference in the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, and the European Union sanctioned him in connection with the poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, England, in 2018.
According to reports from Ukrainian military intelligence, Alekseyev is considered a key figure responsible for coordinating Russian missile and air strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine. He is reportedly wanted in Kyiv for providing data used in these attacks.
Recent Attacks on Russian Officials
The attack on Alekseyev is not an isolated incident. Since December 2024, at least three other high-ranking Russian officers have been killed or injured in attacks within Russia. Ukrainian military intelligence has previously claimed responsibility for the deaths of several senior Russian military officials.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with Russian authorities stating that two suspects will soon be interrogated and subsequently charged. However, there has been no official confirmation of any arrests at this time.
The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as the investigation progresses. The accusations leveled by Russian officials, coupled with the ongoing peace negotiations, underscore the complex and volatile nature of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
