Senior military intelligence officer Vladimir Alekseyev shot near residence, condition critical
Moscow, Russia — Web Desk: Russia’s military intelligence (GRU) deputy chief, Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, has been critically injured in an assassination attempt in Moscow, according to Russian authorities.
Foreign news agencies reported that an unknown gunman opened fire on Alekseyev near his residence, hitting him multiple times before fleeing the scene. The senior intelligence official was rushed to hospital in critical condition, doctors confirmed.
Investigators said the attacker fired several shots at the 64-year-old lieutenant general and escaped immediately. Security agencies have launched a large-scale manhunt, while the motive behind the attack remains under investigation.
Russian officials noted that Alekseyev played a direct role in key decision-making related to the Ukraine war, making him a high-value target. He has previously been awarded the prestigious title of “Hero of Russia” by President Vladimir Putin.
The United States sanctioned Alekseyev over alleged Russian cyber interference in the 2016 US presidential elections, while the European Union imposed sanctions in 2018 following the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in the UK city of Salisbury.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov blamed Ukraine for the assassination attempt, calling it a deliberate effort to sabotage peace negotiations.
Ukraine has not issued an immediate response to the allegations.
