Information
A Russian general, Vladimir Alekseyev, the deputy chief of military intelligence, was shot at his apartment building in Moscow on Friday and hospitalized, according to Russian officials. Investigators said an unidentified person fired multiple shots at him, though they did not provide details about his condition or identify a suspect. A report cited by the Associated Press said the attacker posed as a delivery worker, shot Alekseyev in the stairwell, and wounded him in the foot and arm. During a struggle, Alekseyev was shot again in the chest before the assailant fled.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the attack a “terrorist act” by Ukraine, claiming it was meant to disrupt peace talks held recently in Abu Dhabi, while the Kremlin confirmed that President Vladimir Putin had been informed. Ukrainian authorities have not commented on the incident. Alekseyev has held his senior intelligence role since 2011 and previously oversaw operations during Russia’s intervention in Syria.
Source: Reuters, AFP, AP
So What
The available information suggests that Ukraine was almost certainly responsible for the attack, potentially using Russian nationals to carry it out in order to avoid heightened scrutiny faced by ethnic Ukrainians within Russia. Given the intense suspicion surrounding Ukrainian operatives, employing local actors would make it easier to operate undetected. Regardless of the method used, the shooting indicates that Ukraine retains the capability to conduct targeted operations inside Russia against high-profile individuals, highlighting a significant security vulnerability that is likely to be deeply embarrassing for Russian authorities.
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