Assassination Attempt on Top GRU General in Moscow; Suspect Detained in Dubai
Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev was shot on Feb 6 in a Moscow stairwell while visiting an apartment linked to a younger woman, and authorities say the suspected gunman fled to the United Arab Emirates and was detained in Dubai.
- The attack happened on Feb 6 in the stairwell of a residential building on Volokolamskoye Highway where Alekseyev was visiting an apartment reportedly linked to a younger woman.
- Witnesses and outlets say the shooter used an intercom key, concealed his face and timed the attack to coincide with a night security shift change.
- Initial security response was flawed after a guard was told the victim had a knife wound and did not check the scene before ending his shift.
- Two other guards encountered the aftermath and provided first aid before Alekseyev was hospitalized; Russian sources give conflicting reports on whether he is conscious.
- Reports say the suspected shooter left Russia immediately, was tracked to Dubai, detained there and is being transferred to Moscow, and an alleged accomplice has also been detained.
- Alekseyev is a senior GRU deputy linked by investigators to oversight of private military companies and past operations including allegations of Novichok use and election interference.