Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, a first deputy head of Russia's military intelligence (GRU), was shot multiple times in a Moscow residential building on Friday. He was hospitalized and underwent surgery. Russian authorities have accused Ukrainian intelligence of orchestrating the attack, identifying a Ukrainian-born Russian citizen, Lyubomir Korba, as the alleged assailant. Korba was subsequently detained in Dubai with assistance from the United Arab Emirates and extradited to Russia. Ukraine has denied involvement in the incident.
Attack on GRU General
Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, 64, was shot multiple times on Friday in an apartment building in northwest Moscow, located on Volokolamskoye Highway.
He was reportedly struck three times by shots from a Makarov pistol equipped with a silencer, which was later found at the scene. Alekseyev was hospitalized in serious condition and underwent surgery. According to reports from Saturday and Sunday, he regained consciousness, was able to speak, and his life was not considered to be in danger. Authorities have initiated a criminal case for attempted murder in connection with the incident.
Investigation and Suspect Apprehension
Following the shooting, an assailant initially fled the scene. Russia's Investigative Committee and the Federal Security Service (FSB) subsequently identified Lyubomir Korba, a Ukrainian-born Russian citizen born in 1960 from Ukraine's Ternopil region, as the alleged perpetrator.
Russian officials stated that Korba immediately boarded a flight from Moscow to Dubai after the attack. With the assistance of the United Arab Emirates, Korba was detained in Dubai and subsequently extradited to Russia.
The FSB stated that Korba was tasked by Ukrainian intelligence to carry out the shooting, claiming he arrived in Russia in December under instructions from "Kyiv special services." Investigators also identified and detained an alleged accomplice, Viktor Vasin, in Moscow. Another suspected female accomplice, Zinaida Serebritskaya, reportedly fled to Ukraine.
Profile of Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev
Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev has served as a first deputy head of Russia's military intelligence (GRU) since 2011, a position also described as deputy chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff at the Defence Ministry. He was awarded the Hero of Russia medal for his involvement in Russia's military campaign in Syria, where he also led intelligence operations.
In June 2023, Alekseyev gained prominence when he was seen speaking with mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin during the Wagner Group's mutiny. He reportedly attempted to de-escalate the situation, describing Prigozhin's actions as a "stab in the back of the country and the president."
Alekseyev is subject to international sanctions. The United States sanctioned him in 2016 for alleged malicious cyber activity aimed at undermining U.S. democratic processes. The European Union also sanctioned him in January 2019, linking him to the 2018 nerve agent attack in Salisbury, England, due to his alleged responsibility for the possession, transport, and use of Novichok by GRU officers.
Broader Context: A "Shadow War"
The shooting occurs amidst a series of attacks targeting senior Russian military and security figures, which Russian authorities frequently attribute to Ukraine. The incident took place a day after Russian, Ukrainian, and U.S. negotiators concluded two days of talks in Abu Dhabi concerning the conflict in Ukraine. Admiral Igor Kostyukov, head of the GRU and Alekseyev's superior, reportedly led Russia's delegation in these negotiations.
Previous Attacks on Russian Officers in Moscow
Since the start of military operations in Ukraine, several other Russian officers of comparable rank to Alekseyev have been killed in or near Moscow. These incidents include:
- December (previous year): Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, head of the General Staff's army training directorate, was killed by a car bomb in Moscow. Russian officials attributed this attack to Ukraine.
- April (previous year): Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy head of the main operational department in the General Staff, was killed by an explosive device in his car near Moscow. A suspected perpetrator was arrested in connection with this incident.
- December (previous year): Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, chief of the military’s nuclear, biological, and chemical protection forces, was killed by a bomb hidden on an electric scooter in Moscow, along with his assistant. Ukraine’s security service claimed responsibility for this attack.
Russian security officials and investigators have noted heightened security concerns for top Russian generals involved in the conflict in Ukraine, describing the broader context as a "shadow war" between Russian and Ukrainian military intelligence agencies.
International Reactions
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that President Vladimir Putin was informed about the attack. President Putin subsequently spoke with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to express gratitude for assistance in apprehending the suspect.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha denied Kyiv's involvement in the attack, suggesting it might be an internal Russian matter. Conversely, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated Ukraine was responsible for the assassination attempt, asserting it aimed to disrupt peace talks.