Russian police officers were seen stationed at the entrance of a residential building in Moscow where a significant incident unfolded on Friday. Vladimir Alekseyev, a senior military intelligence officer, was shot and wounded in his apartment, leading to a swift international manhunt.
FSB Announces Arrest in Dubai
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has confirmed that a man suspected of carrying out the shooting has been arrested in Dubai. According to media reports, the suspect, described as being in his 60s, was apprehended in the United Arab Emirates and subsequently handed over to Russian authorities. This development follows his alleged flight to Dubai after the attack.
Accomplices and Escapes
In addition to the primary suspect, the FSB reported that a suspected accomplice was arrested in Moscow. However, another individual believed to be involved managed to escape to Ukraine, highlighting the cross-border nature of this case. Russian media sources have detailed these arrests, though official statements remain limited.
Background of the Victim
Vladimir Alekseyev serves as the deputy head of Russia's GRU military intelligence service. He was admitted to a hospital following the shooting and is currently under treatment. Alekseyev is no stranger to controversy; he faces western sanctions for his alleged involvement in cyberattacks and the organisation of a nerve agent attack on Russian defector Sergei Skripal in Britain in 2018.
Pattern of Assassinations
This incident is part of a broader trend of violence targeting high-ranking military officials in Russia and Moscow-controlled Ukrainian territories since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Several such assassinations have occurred, raising questions about security and internal conflicts within Russian ranks.
Political Accusations and Silence
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has publicly accused Ukraine of masterminding the shooting, pointing fingers at Kyiv for orchestrating the attack. However, Ukraine, which has previously claimed responsibility for the killings of other Russian military officials during the war, has not commented on this specific case. The silence from Kyiv adds a layer of intrigue to the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The arrest in Dubai marks a significant step in the investigation, but with one suspect still at large in Ukraine, the case remains open. Authorities continue to probe the motives and connections behind this violent act, as the international community watches closely.
