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Russian Intelligence Official Targeted in Moscow Assassination Attempt
In a dramatic international development, Russian authorities have announced the arrest of a suspect in the attempted assassination of Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, the deputy head of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency. The suspect, identified as 66-year-old Russian citizen Lyubomir Korba, was detained in Dubai and handed over to Russian authorities, according to statements from Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB).
The Moscow Shooting Incident
The attack occurred on February 6, 2026, when Alekseyev was shot multiple times in an apartment building in Moscow. The assailant, reportedly posing as a food delivery courier, ambushed the general in a stairwell. Alekseyev sustained serious injuries, including gunshot wounds to his back, and was rushed to a hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. 'He has regained consciousness and his condition is stable,' a hospital source told reporters.
Vladimir Alekseyev is no ordinary military officer. As second-in-command of the GRU (Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation), he has been a key figure in Russia's intelligence apparatus. The GRU is Russia's largest foreign intelligence agency, responsible for global intelligence collection and clandestine operations, including cyber warfare and special forces missions.
International Implications and Accusations
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov wasted no time in pointing fingers at Ukraine, calling the attack a 'terrorist act' designed to sabotage ongoing peace negotiations. 'This is clearly an attempt to disrupt the peace process,' Lavrov stated during a press conference. The timing is particularly sensitive as Alekseyev's superior, Admiral Igor Kostyukov, was leading Russian negotiations with Ukraine in Abu Dhabi at the time of the attack.
Ukraine has categorically denied any involvement. 'We have no connection to this incident,' a spokesperson for Ukraine's military intelligence told international media. 'Russia regularly makes baseless accusations to deflect attention from its own actions.'
The Suspect and Investigation
Lyubomir Korba, the 66-year-old suspect now in Russian custody, was apprehended in Dubai through international cooperation between Emirati and Russian security services. According to the FSB, Korba allegedly carried out the shooting himself. The agency also claims to have detained one accomplice in Moscow while another suspect reportedly fled to Ukraine.
Alekseyev's background adds layers of complexity to the case. He has been under European Union sanctions since 2019 and is suspected of involvement in several high-profile international incidents. Most notably, Western intelligence agencies believe he played a role in the 2018 Novichok nerve agent poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in the United Kingdom. He also reportedly negotiated with Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner Group, during the mercenary group's 2023 mutiny against the Russian government.
Pattern of Attacks on Russian Officials
This incident follows a disturbing pattern of attacks on senior Russian military officials in Moscow. In December 2025, Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov was killed by a car bomb, while Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik was assassinated in 2024. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, numerous Russian officers have been targeted, with Ukraine's military intelligence sometimes claiming responsibility for these operations.
The GRU itself has been involved in numerous controversial operations globally. According to Wikipedia, the agency traces its origins to 1810 and has evolved into Russia's primary military intelligence organization, operating separately from civilian agencies like the FSB and SVR.
Geopolitical Context
The arrest comes amid delicate peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. The talks in Abu Dhabi, led by Admiral Kostyukov, had reportedly made progress on prisoner exchanges and potential ceasefire arrangements. Some analysts suggest the attack could be an attempt by hardline elements within Russia to derail negotiations, while others point to possible Ukrainian involvement despite official denials.
'This incident reveals the ongoing shadow war being fought between Russian and Ukrainian intelligence services,' commented security analyst Maria Petrova. 'Even as diplomatic talks proceed, covert operations continue on both sides.'
Sources
CBS News: Russian general shot in Moscow
CNBC: Suspect detained in Dubai
