Moscow – Russia has accused Poland of involvement in the assassination of a deputy chief of its military intelligence agency, the GRU. The accusation, announced by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) on Monday, February 9, 2026, marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries and comes amid ongoing geopolitical instability in Eastern Europe. The development underscores growing regional tensions and could further complicate diplomatic efforts.
According to the FSB, the assassination targeted General Vladimir Alekseev, a high-ranking official within the GRU. The agency claims that two suspects have confessed to their “guilt” and that the hitman was recruited with the assistance of Polish intelligence services. Ukraine is also alleged to have been involved in commissioning the assassination, with the FSB stating the shooter was hired by Ukraine for $30,000.
The FSB further alleges that the shooter, a Russian citizen of Ukrainian origin, was recruited by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) in August of the previous year although in Ternopil, western Ukraine, before being transported to Russia. The shooter’s son, a Polish citizen residing in Poland, is also said to have been involved in the recruitment process.
Alekseev, 64, was shot last week in the hallway of his apartment building near an elevator. He previously organized operations for the Wagner mercenary group and Russian intelligence operations in Syria. The U.S. Has imposed sanctions on Alekseev for malicious cyber activities and attempts to interfere with U.S. Elections, and the European Union sanctioned him in 2019 for the attempted poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.
These accusations follow a separate report from October 2, 2025, detailing the arrest of a GRU agent in Poland suspected of preparing terrorist attacks in three European Union countries, including Lithuania, and Germany. According to a report in “Gazeta Wyborcza,” the agent allegedly planned attacks using drones and explosive-filled containers disguised as food products.
Earlier reports on February 6, 2026, indicated that a Russian military intelligence chief’s deputy had been shot in Moscow, with the Kremlin initially blaming Ukraine. LSM reported that the FSB made the accusation against Poland on Monday.
