Top Russian Military Intelligence General Targeted in Brazen Moscow Shooting
In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through Russia's security establishment, Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, a senior figure in the country's military intelligence apparatus, was shot multiple times in what authorities are treating as an attempted assassination. The attack occurred early on Friday, February 6, near his residence on Volokolamsk Highway in the capital city of Moscow.
Details of the Early Morning Ambush
According to official reports, the assailant lay in wait for General Alekseyev to depart from his 24th-floor apartment at approximately 7:00 AM. As the general walked through the stairwell of his apartment complex, the gunman opened fire, striking him in the back. The perpetrator then fled the scene and remains at large, prompting a massive manhunt by Russian law enforcement agencies.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos and horror in the aftermath of the shooting. Neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots followed by desperate cries for help. One resident recounted the gruesome aftermath, stating, "The entire floor is covered in blood, even the lift lobby." Emergency medical teams arrived to find Alekseyev having lost a significant amount of blood. Paramedics performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the high-ranking officer for fifteen minutes in a desperate attempt to stabilize his condition before transporting him to a medical facility.
Critical Condition and Official Response
Lieutenant General Alekseyev, aged 64, remains hospitalized in critical condition. Svetlana Petrenko, a representative of the Russian Investigative Committee, confirmed that the victim is receiving treatment at one of Moscow's hospitals. The investigative agency has launched a criminal case for attempted murder and illegal circulation of firearms, underscoring the severity with which authorities are treating this brazen attack on a senior military official.
Profile of the Targeted General
Vladimir Alekseyev holds the position of deputy chief of the main directorate of the general staff at the Russian Ministry of Defence. He also serves as the deputy head of the GRU, Russia's formidable military intelligence service. His career has been marked by significant involvement in sensitive operations and high-stakes diplomacy.
Notably, Alekseyev was placed under European Union sanctions following allegations that the GRU was responsible for the 2018 Salisbury nerve agent attack in the United Kingdom. He played a crucial role in providing intelligence to the Kremlin during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Furthermore, Alekseyev acted as a key negotiator during the 2023 mutiny staged by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the late head of the Wagner private military company.
Context of Escalating Attacks on Russian Military Figures
This assassination attempt occurs against a backdrop of increasing violence targeting Russia's military leadership. The shooting took place the morning after the head of the GRU, Igor Kostyukov, led Russian delegation talks involving Ukraine and the United States. It follows a disturbing pattern of attacks and assassinations against top Russian military officers, some of which have been claimed by Ukrainian authorities.
Recent years have seen several high-profile incidents:
- In December 2024, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillo was killed when an explosive device planted in a scooter detonated.
- The following year, Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik of the Russian Army's General Staff died after a car parked near his Moscow residence exploded.
These coordinated attacks suggest a deliberate campaign to destabilize Russia's military command structure, raising serious questions about security protocols for senior officials and the ongoing shadow war being waged both within and beyond Russia's borders.
