An alleged assassin has been captured in Dubai after a failed murder plot targeting one of Vladimir Putin’s top military officials.
Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev of the Defense Ministry was shot multiple times in Moscow on Friday morning. The suspected shooter and an alleged accomplice are being moved from Dubai to Moscow for further investigation, as reported by Telegram channel SHOT.
When asked about the incident involving Alekseyev, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that law enforcement authorities would handle the investigation. He labeled the attack as a possible “terrorist act” orchestrated by Ukraine to disrupt peace negotiations.
According to a report by the business daily Kommersant, the assailant, disguised as a delivery person, shot the general twice in the stairwell of his apartment building, causing injuries to his foot and arm. Alekseyev attempted to disarm the attacker but was shot in the chest before the perpetrator fled the scene.
Alekseyev is currently in critical condition after sustaining gunshot wounds to his “vital organs” during the incident near a residential complex on Volokolamskoye Highway. Some sources suggest that the shooting took place in the stairwell of the building.
In an update today, SHOT announced, “The individual who shot Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev has been apprehended. The shooter and an accomplice are en route from Dubai to Moscow.”
“The assassination attempt on the 65-year-old Russian general occurred yesterday morning in the stairwell of his residence on Volokolamskoye Highway in Moscow. The attacker fired three shots at the senior officer, targeting vital organs. Alekseyev is in critical condition, in a coma; his condition is described as stable but serious.”
Alekseyev, born in Ukraine during the Soviet era, climbed the ranks to oversee operations of Russian military intelligence in various regions including Syria and Ukraine.
He has faced sanctions from the U.S., the U.K., and the European Union for allegedly interfering in the 2016 U.S. election and his suspected involvement in the 2018 poisoning of former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter with the nerve agent Novichok in Salisbury, England.
Since 2011, Alekseyev has held the position of first deputy head of Russia’s military intelligence agency, known as the GRU.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Putin was briefed about the attack and emphasized the need for enhanced protection of senior military officials amid the Ukraine conflict.
There has been no official statement from Ukrainian authorities regarding the assault.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated that the investigation into the shooting would be pursued by law enforcement agencies, characterizing it as a possible “terrorist act” by Ukraine aimed at disrupting peace talks.
The business daily Kommersant detailed how the attacker, posing as a delivery person, shot the general twice in the stairway of his apartment building, injuring him in the foot and arm. Alekseyev struggled to disarm the assailant but was shot again in the chest before the attacker fled.
Alekseyev, who was born in Ukraine during the Soviet era, steadily advanced in his career to lead Russian military intelligence operations in Syria, Ukraine, and other locations.
He faced sanctions from the U.K. and the EU for his alleged role in the 2018 poisoning of ex-Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter with the nerve agent Novichok in Salisbury, England.
Alekseyev has been serving as the first deputy head of Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU, since 2011.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned that Putin had been briefed on the attack and called for heightened protection for senior military officers amid the Ukraine conflict.
Ukrainian authorities have not issued any comments regarding the incident.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated that the investigation into the shooting would be led by law enforcement agencies, portraying it as a potential “terrorist act” by Ukraine with the intention of disrupting peace negotiations.
