One of Vladimir Putin’s high-ranking military officers is in critical condition after an attempted assassination. Lt Gen Vladimir Alekseyev was shot multiple times by an unidentified attacker in Moscow, according to Investigative Committee spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko.
Reports suggest that a woman, possibly disguised as a cleaner, carried out the attack near Alekseyev’s residence on Volokolamskoye Highway. The motive behind the shooting and the identity of the assailant remain unknown as the perpetrator fled the scene. Alekseyev’s wife alerted the authorities and emergency medical services.
Witnesses at the scene reported hearing gunshots and cries for help, with neighbors offering assistance while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. Alekseyev, a prominent figure in Russia’s military intelligence service GRU, was involved in negotiations with mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in the past.
Following the incident, politician Alexei Zhuravlev called for swift action against those responsible, describing Alekseyev as a highly respected and influential figure within the Russian army. Zhuravlev suggested that the attack aimed to disrupt peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, benefiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Several high-ranking Russian military officials have been targeted in similar attacks, some of which have been attributed to Ukraine. The recent assassination attempt on Alekseyev follows the killing of another GRU officer, Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov, in a car bombing in Moscow.
In international diplomacy, talks between Ukrainian and Russian representatives in Abu Dhabi concluded without significant progress. Despite agreeing to exchange prisoners of war, key disagreements persist, including the future of the Donbas region, control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and security guarantees for Ukraine post-conflict.
President Zelensky of Ukraine condemned a recent aggressive assault by Moscow on Kyiv amid freezing temperatures, highlighting the use of ballistic missiles and drones to target vital energy infrastructure. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine remains a pressing concern with complex challenges ahead in resolving the crisis.
