Russia has officially named three suspects connected to the shooting of high-ranking military officer Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev. One of the suspects, identified as Lyubomir Korba—a Ukrainian-born Russian citizen—is alleged to have executed the attack under instructions from Ukrainian intelligence services, a claim Kyiv has denied.
The shooting occurred in a residential block on the outskirts of Moscow on February 6, leading to Alexeyev being hospitalized but reportedly regaining consciousness following surgery. According to Russian authorities, Korba fled to the UAE right after the attack and was later apprehended and extradited.
Russian officials assert that Korba fired three shots before fleeing the scene. Investigators reported finding a Makarov pistol and ammunition linked to the incident. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed President Vladimir Putin's gratitude towards UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for facilitating Korba's capture.
Alexeyev, who serves as the second-in-command in the GRU, is the latest high-profile military figure targeted in a series of attacks on Russian officials since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha dismissed any claims of Kyiv's involvement in the shooting, describing it as a potential internal Russian matter.
The development has raised tensions further, with claims and counterclaims between Russian and Ukrainian officials regarding the motives and orchestration of the incident. Alexeyev's boss, GRU chief Adm Igor Kostyukov, has been actively involved in recent diplomatic discussions, adding complexity to the ongoing conflict and security concerns.
