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Shooting of GRU deputy
Russian authorities say Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alexeyev, the deputy head of military intelligence (GRU), was shot several times at an apartment block in northwest Moscow and hospitalized after the attacker fled, and investigators recovered a silenced Makarov pistol and three rounds.
“Russian investigators say GRU first deputy chief Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseyev was shot several times at an apartment block in northwest Moscow and hospitalized after an attacker fired three shots and fled.”
The FSB and state agencies identified the alleged shooter as Lyubomir Korba, a Russian national, and said he was detained in Dubai, extradited to Russia and shown on state television being escorted off a plane.
Russian officials say the transfer involved UAE assistance, but outside verification of that account remains limited.
The incident has prompted an immediate criminal investigation and heightened scrutiny over the protection of senior officers amid broader intelligence operations.
Suspect identification and allegations
Russian media and security services identified the suspect as Lyubomir Korba — described variously as a Russian national, a Ukrainian-born Russian citizen, and a man in his 60s — and showed footage on state television of a detained man being escorted off a plane.
Authorities allege Korba entered Moscow in late December, fired three shots at Alexeyev in an apartment block, and then fled to Dubai hours later, where Russian officials say he was arrested and returned.
Investigators allege at least two accomplices: Viktor Vasin, reportedly detained in Moscow, and Zinaida Serebritskaya, said to have fled to Ukraine; those details remain part of an ongoing probe.
Alexeyev shooting and condition
Alexeyev, 64, was rushed to hospital after being shot and underwent surgery.
“Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev... was shot about 12 km north of the Kremlin, rushed to hospital, underwent surgery and — according to his wife speaking to a war blogger — has regained consciousness and can speak.”
Russian media and his wife, according to reports, say he has regained consciousness and can speak.
The shooting reportedly took place about 12 km north of the Kremlin on the Volokolamsk highway, and investigators recovered a silenced pistol.
Those close to the story have underlined Alexeyev's profile as a long-time GRU figure who has been sanctioned by Western states and who previously intervened during the 2023 Wagner mutiny.
Accusations over shooting
Moscow publicly accused Ukrainian intelligence of directing the attack, and senior Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, said the shooting could aim to derail diplomacy.
Kyiv denied involvement, and some Ukrainian officials suggested the attack may reflect internal Russian infighting.
Russian statements framed the attack as potentially linked to recent Abu Dhabi talks between Russian, Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators.
Ukrainian spokespeople and several Western outlets reported Kyiv's denial and noted that independent verification of Moscow's claims is lacking.
Attacks on Russian officers
Several outlets place the shooting in a wider pattern of attacks on Russian military figures since late 2024, noting it follows the deaths or targeting of other senior officers and raising questions about internal security and intelligence operations.
“The shooting has raised questions about the protection of senior officers amid a wider 'hybrid' conflict between Russian and Ukrainian intelligence services... and follows the deaths of three other Russian generals since December 2024.”
Media also highlight gaps in independent verification, saying UAE authorities have not publicly detailed the arrest or extradition process and that Reuters and other outlets cited by ABC and Prism News could not independently verify some FSB claims.
The case is unfolding with forensic tests and a criminal investigation ongoing, and commentators say it may have diplomatic as well as security consequences given Abu Dhabi's role in recent talks.