Russian Military Official Shot and Hospitalized in Moscow
A senior Russian military official was shot and rushed to a hospital in Moscow on February 6, 2026, in what investigators are treating as an apparent assassination attempt. Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev, deputy head of Russia’s military intelligence (GRU), was struck several times by an unidentified assailant and transported to medical care after the incident.
The attack unfolded early Friday morning inside a residential building in northwest Moscow. According to the Moscow prosecutor’s office, an unknown gunman approached Alexeyev and fired multiple shots before fleeing the scene. Law enforcement has launched a search and is reviewing surveillance footage and witness accounts as part of the investigation.
Alexeyev holds a senior position within the GRU, serving as first deputy head of the main military intelligence directorate under director Igor Kostyukov. In that capacity, he has been involved in key strategic duties, including coordinating relations between the Defense Ministry and paramilitary elements. He was also part of the Russian delegation engaged in recent talks with Ukraine and U.S. officials in Abu Dhabi focused on conflict de-escalation efforts.
The attack on Alexeyev is the latest in a string of violent actions targeting high-ranking Russian officers since the full-scale war in Ukraine began in 2022. Russian authorities have publicly attributed several of these incidents to Ukrainian intelligence operations, though Kyiv has not confirmed responsibility for this latest shooting.
Several senior officers of lieutenant general rank have been killed or injured in separate attacks in the Moscow region since late 2024. In December 2025, Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov was killed by a vehicle bomb in what Russian officials labelled a hostile operation. Analysts note that such incidents have sparked debate within Russian military and security communities over the effectiveness of protective measures for senior personnel.
Context and Implications
Lieutenant General Alexeyev’s role in military intelligence and in negotiations with the Wagner Group during its 2023 mutiny underscores his prominence in Russian defense circles. His shooting occurs amid broader geopolitical tensions, including ongoing conflict in Ukraine and diplomatic efforts aimed at managing the war’s trajectory.
Russian state and investigative sources have provided limited details on Alexeyev’s current medical condition. Follow-on official statements are expected as authorities continue the criminal inquiry and public security briefings.
