A high-ranking Russian military officer, Lt Gen Vladimir Alexeyev, was shot several times in Moscow on Friday morning. The attack marks the latest targeting of a senior Russian official since the war in Ukraine began nearly four years ago. Alexeyev was immediately hospitalized, and his current condition remains unclear.
Details of the Attack
The shooting happened in a residential block on Volokolamsk Highway, in north-western Moscow. Neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots and cries for help.
- The gunman fled the scene, and authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing residents.
- The Russian Investigations Committee has launched a criminal case for attempted murder.
One neighbor told Reuters she woke up to the sound of shots and heard others calling for an ambulance. “Other neighbors rushed out, too,” she said.
Lt Gen Vladimir Alexeyev’s Role
Alexeyev is number two in Russia’s GRU military intelligence and has played a key role in the war in Ukraine:
- He participated in negotiations during the siege of Mariupol in 2022.
- He met with Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin during the 2023 mutiny.
- He worked under GRU chief Igor Kostyukov on security talks with the US and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi.
Alexeyev was previously sanctioned by the EU and UK over the GRU’s alleged role in the 2018 Salisbury nerve agent attack.
Russian and International Reactions
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin had been briefed. “We wish first of all that the general survives and recovers,” he added.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of carrying out the attack. Kyiv has not commented, although Ukrainian intelligence previously claimed responsibility for similar operations targeting Russian military figures.
Recent attacks on high-ranking Russian officers include:
- Lt Gen Igor Kirillov, killed in a 2024 explosion outside a Moscow apartment.
- Lt Gen Fanil Sarvarov, killed in December 2025 when a car-borne explosive detonated in Moscow.
These incidents show a pattern of targeted attacks against Russian military leaders amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Conclusion: Rising Risks for Russian Military Leadership
The shooting of Lt Gen Vladimir Alexeyev highlights the growing security risks for senior Russian military officials. With the Ukraine conflict ongoing and internal dissent increasing, high-ranking officers remain vulnerable. International observers are closely watching Moscow’s response, possible retaliation, and the wider implications for regional stability.
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