Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseyev, deputy chief of Russia’s military intelligence, was shot several times by an unidentified assailant at an apartment building in northwest Moscow on Friday. He was immediately hospitalised, and authorities launched an investigation into the attack, which follows a string of assassinations targeting senior Russian military officials.
The Investigative Committee spokesperson, Svetlana Petrenko, confirmed the incident but did not specify any suspects or possible motives. Alekseyev has served as the first deputy head of Russian military intelligence since 2011, playing a key role in Moscow’s defense operations.
The shooting comes a day after Russian, Ukrainian, and U.S. negotiators concluded talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at ending the nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine. Alekseyev’s superior, Adm. Igor Kostyukov, led the Russian delegation during the discussions, which underscores the heightened tension surrounding the Russian military leadership.
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Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, several high-ranking Russian officers have been killed in targeted attacks. Notable incidents include the deaths of Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov in a car bomb in December, Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik in an April car bombing near Moscow, and Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov in a December 2024 bomb attack outside his apartment. Ukraine has claimed responsibility for some of these attacks, though not all.
The attacks on senior officers have prompted increased security measures in Russia, particularly for military personnel in major cities. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine previously noted reports of “liquidation” of top Russian officers, highlighting the ongoing risks to Moscow’s military leadership.
Authorities in Moscow have yet to release further details on Alekseyev’s condition or the investigation. The shooting has intensified concerns over the safety of Russia’s senior military officials and the potential implications for the country’s defense and intelligence operations.
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