Attempted assassination of Russian Lieutenant General Alexeyev reported in Moscow

Anastasia Protz - 6 February, 09:53

Vladimir Alexeyev. Photo: Russian media

In Moscow, an unknown assailant carried out an attempted assassination of Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev, First Deputy Head of Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU). Alexeyev has been taken to hospital.

Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlets RIA Novosti and TASS

Details: According to Russian media, the attack took place in a residential building on Volokolamsk Highway in north-west Moscow.

The attacker reportedly shot Alexeyev several times in the back before fleeing the scene.

Russia's Investigative Committee confirmed that a criminal case has been opened over the attempted assassination and that the suspect is being sought. No information has been released about the condition of the wounded official.

For reference: Alexeyev, who holds the rank of lieutenant general, has been First Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate since 2011.

Vladimir Alexeyev was born on 24 April 1961 in the village of Holodky, Khmilnyk district, Vinnytsia Oblast, Ukraine. He graduated in 1984 from the Vasily Margelov Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School in Russia. Over the years, he served as head of intelligence directorates in the Moscow and Far Eastern military districts, later headed the 14th Directorate of the GRU and in 2011 became First Deputy Head of the GRU.

According to Ukrainian authorities and international investigative reports, Alexeyev was responsible for intelligence support of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the preparation of targeting data for missile and bomb strikes on Ukrainian territory, particularly civilian facilities, as well as activities related to organising sham referendums in temporarily occupied territories. Open sources have also cited his role in attempts to establish quasi-authority structures in occupied areas, particularly in Kherson Oblast.

In 2017, according to Russian state media, Alexeyev was awarded the title Hero of Russia by a classified presidential decree.

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