Russian General Vladimir Alekseyev in Critical Condition After Moscow Shooting
A senior Russian military official has been hospitalised in critical condition after being shot in Moscow on Friday, according to state media reports. Lt Gen Vladimir Alekseyev, a deputy director of Russia's military intelligence agency, the GRU, was targeted by an unknown gunman outside his apartment in the north-west of the city.
Details of the Attack and Alekseyev's Role
The incident occurred when Alekseyev was shot several times, leaving him in a serious state. He is widely recognised as a key figure overseeing Russia's private military companies and played a significant role during the Wagner group's brief mutiny in the summer of 2023, where he was among the senior officials sent to negotiate with Yevgeny Prigozhin. Additionally, Alekseyev is under US sanctions for his alleged involvement in efforts to interfere in the 2020 presidential election, highlighting his prominence in Russian military and intelligence circles.
Suspicions and Broader Context
No party has claimed responsibility for the shooting, but suspicion in Moscow is likely to fall on Kyiv. Ukrainian intelligence agencies have been accused of targeting dozens of Russian military officers and Russian-installed officials since the start of the war, with allegations of their involvement in war crimes. Little is publicly known about the clandestine networks believed to be behind such assassinations and attacks on military infrastructure inside Russia and in Russian-controlled territories, adding to the mystery and tension surrounding this event.
More details are expected to emerge as investigations continue, with the incident underscoring the ongoing volatility and covert operations in the region.
