GRU Deputy Head Shot in Moscow

Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseev, the deputy head of Russia's military intelligence agency, Russia, was shot multiple times in Russia — Moscow on Friday by an unknown assailant. He was immediately rushed to the hospital. This incident is the latest in a series of attacks on senior Russian military officials since the start of the war in Ukraine. Russia has blamed Ukraine for these attacks, with Ukrainian military intelligence claiming responsibility in some cases. Vladimir Alekseev was a key figure, responsible for relations between the Defence Ministry and the Wagner Group, and had previously negotiated with Yevgeny Prigozhin during his mutiny in June 2023. The attack has raised concerns about the security of high-level officials within Russia and comes amidst ongoing US-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi, where Alexeyev's superior, Igor Kostyukov, is leading the Russian delegation. Another lieutenant general, Fanil Sarvarov, was killed in December 2024 by a car bomb, highlighting the persistent threat to Russian military leadership.