Moscow: A senior Russian military intelligence official was shot and seriously wounded inside his apartment building in Moscow on Friday marking the latest attack on a high ranking security figure since the start of the Ukraine war.
Investigators said Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev, deputy head of Russia’s military intelligence agency (GRU) was shot multiple times by an unidentified assailant who fled the scene. The 64 year old officer sustained gunshot wounds to his arm leg and chest and was rushed to hospital, where he remains in serious condition.
Alexeyev, a recipient of Russia’s highest honor the Hero of Russia title has been under Western sanctions. The United States sanctioned him over alleged cyber interference in the 2016 presidential election while the European Union imposed sanctions related to the 2018 poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of orchestrating the attack though Kyiv has not commented. Since the war began in 2022 Ukrainian intelligence has claimed responsibility for several targeted killings of senior Russian officers.
The Kremlin confirmed President Vladimir Putin had been briefed and that security agencies have launched an investigation.The shooting has intensified concerns about the safety of senior officials amid ongoing conflict and fragile diplomatic efforts.
About The Author
