Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, Deputy Head of Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), is in a coma following an assassination attempt in Moscow. Oleg Tsaryov, a former Donbass separatist leader and a close associate of General Alekseyev, confirmed on February 6 that the general underwent surgery after being hit by multiple gunshots. Russian officials have not yet commented on the incident.

The RIA Novosti news agency previously reported that General Alekseyev was hospitalized after an unidentified suspect shot him multiple times inside an apartment building on Volokolamsk street in the capital. The Russian Investigative Committee has since declared the incident an assassination attempt.

General Vladimir Alekseyev, Deputy Head of Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate. *Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense*

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the assassination attempt as a "terrorist attack", asserting it was an effort to derail ongoing peace negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States. "The incident once again confirms that Ukrainian authorities are focused on provocative actions to disrupt the negotiation process," he stated. This attack occurred one day after Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Abu Dhabi, where both sides reported progress in peace talks.

Details about the suspect and how the assassination was organized remain unclear. However, Russian military bloggers criticized apparent security lapses, questioning how a gunman could infiltrate a high-profile apartment building undetected. Andrei Soldatov, an expert on Russian security agencies, commented, "They should have increased protection for the highest-ranking military officials."

Russian police at the scene of the shooting at the apartment building on the morning of February 6. *Photo: AFP*

An experienced military officer, General Alekseyev has served as Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) since 2011. He has been sanctioned by Western nations over alleged involvement in cyber attacks and his role in the 2018 poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in the United Kingdom. That failed assassination attempt resulted in the death of a British citizen, escalating tensions between London and Moscow.

General Alekseyev also played a significant role during the unsuccessful Wagner mutiny in June 2023, where he was among the senior officials sent to negotiate with Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin. Furthermore, he commanded intelligence operations during Russia's intervention in Syria to support the government of former President Bashar al-Assad.

By Hong Hanh (Sources: TASS, Guardian)