Key Facts
• February 6: Vladimir Alekseyev, first deputy head of Russia’s GRU, was shot inside his Moscow apartment building.
• Alekseyev was transported to hospital and is reportedly in critical condition.
• The shooter fled the scene; Russian Investigative Committee is investigating attempted murder.
• Alekseyev is the GRU’s number two; Igor Kostyukov leads the agency and heads Russia’s delegation in Ukraine peace talks.
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested the attack aims to disrupt peace negotiations.
• Moscow has seen multiple attacks targeting Russian military officials involved in the Ukraine invasion.
• Details and motives behind this incident remain unclear as investigations continue.
• Alekseyev played a key role in 2023 negotiations to defuse the Wagner Group rebellion led by Yevgeny Prigozhin against Putin’s regime.
Summary
On February 6, Vladimir Alekseyev, the deputy head of Russia’s military intelligence agency GRU, was critically wounded in a shooting at his Moscow residence. The assailant escaped, prompting an ongoing investigation for attempted murder. Alekseyev, the agency’s second-in-command, is notable for his involvement in high-level negotiations, including efforts to quell the 2023 Wagner Group rebellion. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov linked the attack to attempts to hinder peace talks involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine. This incident adds to a series of attacks targeting Russian military officials amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Authorities have yet to disclose further details or motives behind the shooting.
