Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced on 8/2 that President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan "last night." Putin thanked his UAE counterpart for the "effective cooperation through special services channels" and the country's assistance in arresting a suspect linked to the "terrorist attack" on general Vladimir Alekseyev.

Peskov did not detail the UAE's specific assistance. He added that the two leaders also discussed matters on the agenda from Nahyan's recent visit to Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, 12/2025. Photo: AFP

The Russian Investigative Committee identified Lyubomir Korba, a Russian national, as the individual who shot general Alekseyev at an apartment building on Volokolamsk Street in Moscow on 6/2. The committee stated that Korba arrived in Moscow in late 12/2025 "on orders from Ukrainian intelligence to carry out the terrorist attack." Viktor Vasin and Zinaida Serebritskaya, two other Russian citizens, were identified as Korba's accomplices.

Korba fled Russia after the attack but was later arrested in Dubai and extradited to Russia. The Federal Security Service (FSB) released a video showing Korba, handcuffed and blindfolded, being escorted by security agents from a plane arriving from the UAE and into a vehicle.

Images of suspect Lyubomir Korba released by Russia on 8/2. Video: FSB

The FSB stated that Vasin was arrested in Moscow, while Serebritskaya had fled to Ukraine. The agency also released a video showing a pistol found in a snowdrift and footage of Korba, his head and face concealed by a hat, boarding a bus, seemingly after the attack.

The attacker reportedly fired at least three shots at general Alekseyev using a Makarov-style pistol fitted with a silencer. General Alekseyev underwent surgery and is currently recovering in the hospital.

Svetlana Petrenko, spokesperson for the Russian Investigative Committee, confirmed that a criminal case has been initiated. Charges include attempted murder, attempted murder of a serviceman, and illegal arms trafficking.

Suspect Korba leaving the scene of the attack on 6/2. Video: FSB

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also accused Kyiv of orchestrating the "terrorist attack," stating it was an attempt to derail peace negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. Kyiv, however, denied any involvement in the shooting.

General Alekseyev, 64, has served as deputy head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) since 2011. Western nations sanctioned him for alleged involvement in cyberattacks and his role in the 2018 poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in the United Kingdom.

During the Wagner rebellion in 6/2023, general Alekseyev was among the senior officials dispatched to negotiate with Yevgeny Prigozhin. He also commanded intelligence operations during Russia's campaign in Syria, supporting President Bashar al-Assad's government. For his contributions to Russia's Syrian campaign, he received the Hero of Russia medal, the nation's highest honor.

By Huyen Le (Sputnik, TASS)