Putin General Targeted in Moscow Shooting: Suspect Detained in Dubai
An alleged hitman has been apprehended in Dubai following a brazen assassination attempt on one of Vladimir Putin's senior military commanders in Moscow earlier this week.
Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, a high-ranking figure in Russian military intelligence, was shot multiple times in the stairwell of his apartment building. The attacker, disguised as a delivery person, fired twice, wounding Alekseyev in the foot and arm.
According to reports from the business daily Kommersant, the general attempted to disarm the assailant but was shot again in the chest before the perpetrator fled the scene.
Russian Officials Blame Ukraine for 'Terrorist Act'
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has described the shooting as an apparent 'terrorist act' orchestrated by Ukraine, aimed at derailing ongoing peace negotiations. Lavrov stated that law enforcement agencies would lead the investigation into the incident.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that President Putin has been informed about the attack. Peskov emphasised the need for enhanced protection of senior military officers amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Ukrainian authorities have not issued any official comment regarding the allegations.
Alekseyev's Controversial Career and Sanctions
Lieutenant General Alekseyev, who was born in Ukraine during the Soviet era, has risen through the ranks to oversee operations for Russian military intelligence, known as the GRU, in various regions including Syria and Ukraine.
His career has been marred by international sanctions:
- He was sanctioned by the United States for alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
- The United Kingdom and the European Union imposed sanctions on him for his suspected involvement in the 2018 Novichok nerve agent poisoning of former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury, England.
Alekseyev has served as the first deputy head of the GRU since 2011, positioning him as a key figure in Russia's military intelligence apparatus.
The detention of the suspected hitman in Dubai marks a significant development in this high-profile case, which underscores the volatile tensions between Russia and Ukraine. The incident raises serious questions about security for top Russian officials and the potential impact on diplomatic relations.
