Oleg Tsaryov, a former Donbass separatist leader and close associate of lieutenant general Alekseyev, announced today that "Good news. Vladimir Alekseyev has regained consciousness and can speak. The danger has passed".

Tsaryov stated that the assailant and an accomplice have been arrested and are "being escorted from Dubai". The Kommersant daily also reported that two suspects will soon be interrogated and charged. Russian officials have not yet issued an official comment on these reports.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that all information regarding the assassination attempt has been reported to President Vladimir Putin. According to Peskov, military leaders, officials, and experts are currently at risk during Russia's operation in Ukraine, and ensuring their safety is the responsibility of security agencies. The Kremlin also wished Alekseyev a swift recovery.

Lieutenant general Vladimir Alekseyev. *Photo: Sputnik*

Lieutenant general Alekseyev was hospitalized after an unidentified suspect shot him multiple times, with three bullets hitting his chest, at an apartment building on Volokolamsk street in the capital Moscow on 6/2. No party has claimed responsibility for the incident, but the Russian Investigative Committee declared it an assassination attempt.

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov accused Kyiv of being behind the "terrorist attack", emphasizing it was an attempt to derail peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US.

The assassination attempt occurred one day after Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Abu Dhabi, where both sides reported progress in peace negotiations.

Russian military bloggers criticized security lapses and questioned how a gunman could infiltrate the apartment building undetected.

"They should have increased protection for the highest-ranking military officials", said Andrey Soldatov, an expert on Russian security agencies.

General Alekseyev has served as deputy head of Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) since 2011. He was sanctioned by the West over alleged involvement in cyberattacks and his role in the 2018 poisoning of former Russian agent Sergei Skripal in the UK. The attempted assassination resulted in the death of one British citizen, straining relations between London and Moscow.

When Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin staged an unsuccessful rebellion in 6/2023, general Alekseyev was among the high-ranking officials sent to negotiate with him. General Alekseyev also commanded intelligence operations during Russia's intervention in Syria to support the government of former president Bashar al-Assad.

Huyen Le (According to TASS, AFP)