Moscow, Russia – Two suspects in the attempted assassination of top Russian military intelligence official General Vladimir Alexeyev will soon be interrogated, according to Russian newspaper Kommersant, which cited a source close to the investigation.
The report said the suspects will be charged following interrogation, though it did not confirm whether they had been detained. Russian authorities have not officially announced any arrests.
The Assassination Attempt
Alexeyev, 64, who serves as deputy head of the GRU (Russia’s military intelligence arm), was shot in his Moscow apartment building on Friday. He was rushed to hospital, where he underwent successful surgery. By Saturday, he had regained consciousness but remained under medical supervision, Kommersant reported.
Investigators said an unidentified gunman fired several shots at Alexeyev before fleeing the scene.
Political Fallout
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of orchestrating the attack, claiming it was designed to sabotage peace talks. He did not provide evidence to support the allegation.
Ukraine swiftly denied involvement, stating it had nothing to do with the shooting.
Alexeyev’s Profile
Alexeyev has long been a controversial figure internationally:
- He was placed under U.S. sanctions for alleged Russian cyber interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
- The European Union sanctioned him over the 2018 poisoning of former Russian agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, England.
Conclusion
The attempted assassination of General Alexeyev underscores the volatile geopolitical climate surrounding Russia’s military and intelligence leadership. As investigators prepare to interrogate suspects, the incident has already sparked diplomatic tensions, with Moscow pointing fingers at Kyiv and Ukraine firmly rejecting the accusations.
