In a shocking incident that reads like a page from a spy thriller, Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, a high-ranking deputy chief of Russian military intelligence, was shot multiple times at close range in a Moscow apartment building. The attack occurred this morning in a residential building on the Volokolamskoye Highway, leaving the general fighting for his life in a hospital.
The Mysterious Attack and Security Lapses
According to reports, an unknown assailant managed to infiltrate the building by posing as a food delivery courier, slipping in behind Alekseyev in the stairwell. The shooter fired several shots, highlighting significant security failures for such a prominent figure. Alekseyev, who has been involved in numerous controversial operations, including the Skripal poisonings in Salisbury and Russia's campaign in Syria, would have had no shortage of enemies.
Kremlin's Unusual Reaction
The Kremlin's response to the assassination attempt has been notably curious. Spokesman Dmitri Peskov stated, "It's clear that such military leaders and high-ranking specialists are at risk during wartime. It's not the Kremlin's job to figure out how to ensure their safety." This message, interpreted by some as telling commanders they are on their own, has raised concerns about the protection afforded to Russia's top military officials.
Blame Game and Broader Implications
Officially, Russia has pointed the finger at Ukraine, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov calling the shooting a terrorist act aimed at disrupting negotiations. However, given Alekseyev's extensive involvement in covert operations—from alleged interference in US elections to negotiating an end to the Wagner group mutiny—many potential perpetrators exist, including internal rivals within Russian elites.
This incident marks the latest in a series of attacks on high-profile Russians on home soil. If Ukrainian forces were responsible, it would indicate a severe breach in Russia's military intelligence security. Alternatively, it could signal escalating power struggles within the Kremlin's inner circles. Either way, the shooting underscores the volatile and dangerous climate within Putin's Russia, with implications for its leadership and ongoing conflicts.
