Russian General Shot in Moscow
Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev, a high-ranking official in Russia’s military intelligence, has been hospitalized after being shot several times in a Moscow residential building. The attack occurred on Friday morning in the north-western part of the city, and the shooter is believed to have fled the scene.
Alexeyev, the deputy chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff at the Ministry of Defence, was immediately rushed to the hospital, though his condition remains unclear. Russian authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the shooting, classifying it as an attempted murder. Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for Russia’s Investigative Committee, confirmed that security camera footage is being reviewed, and witnesses are being questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.
Known for his leadership role in military operations, Alexeyev was also part of the Russian negotiations with the late mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin during the latter's brief rebellion in June 2023. Alexeyev’s career includes key roles in military intelligence and involvement in the Russian intervention in Syria. His recent high-profile tasks, particularly in the context of the Ukraine war, have made him a prominent figure within Russia’s military apparatus.
This attack is the latest in a series of assassinations and attempted killings of senior Russian military officers since the invasion of Ukraine began nearly four years ago. While Russia has pointed the finger at Ukraine for many of these incidents, Ukrainian intelligence has publicly claimed responsibility for several attacks, including the bombings that killed two other high-ranking officials.
Just last month, Russian authorities sentenced an Uzbek man to life imprisonment for the 2024 killing of General Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia’s radiological, chemical, and biological defense forces. Earlier in December, another senior officer, Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, was killed by a car bomb.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that President Vladimir Putin has been informed of the shooting. Peskov added that law enforcement agencies must increase protection for senior military officials in light of the growing threat.
As investigations continue into Alexeyev’s shooting, Moscow remains on edge, with Russian officials facing growing concerns over the safety of their military leadership.
