A high-ranking Russian military intelligence official was shot in Moscow on Friday, February 6, 2026, in an incident Russian authorities are calling an attempted assassination. Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseev, who has been sanctioned by the European union and accused by Ukraine of orchestrating strikes on Ukrainian territory, is currently hospitalized in critical condition.The Kremlin has swiftly blamed Ukraine for the attack, further escalating tensions as the conflict continues-and as this incident follows a pattern of targeted attacks on Russian officials over the past year [[2]].
A high-ranking Russian military intelligence official was shot in Moscow on Friday, February 6, 2026, according to the Investigative Committee. The incident, described by Russian media as an “attempted assassination,” occurred near the victim’s home. The Kremlin has blamed Ukraine for orchestrating the attack, escalating tensions between the two countries.
Alekseev Hospitalized in Critical Condition
Reports from Russian media indicate that the shooting took place Friday morning in a residential area close to the victim’s residence. Other sources suggest the attack occurred inside his home on Volokolamskoye Highway.
The assailant reportedly struck Lieutenant General Alekseev multiple times in the back, according to the Telegram channels “Mash” and “Baza.”
Alekseev was transported to the intensive care unit of a Moscow hospital with several gunshot wounds. Russian media reports state that his condition is critical.
Authorities say the attacker managed to escape before police arrived at the scene.
“An investigation is underway, and operational search measures are being taken to identify the person or persons involved in the commission of the aforementioned crime,” stated Svetlana Petrenko, a representative of the Russian Investigative Committee.
A criminal case has been opened into the attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms.
Lieutenant General Organized Intelligence Operations in Ukraine
Alekseev holds a senior position within the Main Directorate of the Russian General Staff. He is also subject to sanctions imposed by the European Union.
Photo: via REUTERS
According to information published by Ukrainian intelligence, Alekseev was born in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate website alleges that Alekseev was involved in organizing intelligence operations, providing information to the Russian military to carry out missile and aviation strikes on Ukrainian territories, including civilian objects. He is also accused of organizing so-called referendums to solidify Russia’s presence in temporarily occupied territories.
This is not the first instance of a high-ranking Russian military official being targeted. In April 2025, Yaroslav Moskalik, Deputy Head of the Main Operational Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, was killed in an explosion in Balashikha, near Moscow. In December, Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, Head of Operational Training of the Armed Forces General Staff, was killed in Moscow by a car bomb.
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Attempting to Kill Alekseev
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov labeled the attack on Alekseev as a “terrorist act.” He claimed the attempt on Alekseev’s life was another “provocation by the Zelensky regime, which is aimed at disrupting the negotiation process.”
Lavrov did not provide any evidence to support the claim that Ukraine was involved in the attempted assassination.
Ukraine has not yet commented on the attack on Alekseev.
Meanwhile, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been informed of the incident. Peskov also said the Kremlin is not responsible for the security of high-ranking military officials.
“It is clear that during wartime, military commanders and high-level specialists are at risk,” Peskov said. “But it is not the Kremlin’s job to decide how to ensure their safety. That is the task of the special services.”
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