Russia says it has identified three suspects involved in the shooting of high-profile military figure Lt Gen Vladimir Alexeyev. They include the man accused of having carried out the attack, named as Ukrainian-born Russian citizen Lyubomir Korba.
Russia's Investigations Committee (SK) said Korba arrived in the capital, Moscow, in late December 'on assignment from Ukrainian intelligence services to commit a terrorist attack.' Kyiv has reportedly denied involvement.
Alexeyev, 64, was taken to hospital after the attack in a residential block of flats in the north-western outskirts of Moscow. He has since regained consciousness following surgery, according to Russian media reports.
Alexeyev is number two in the main directorate of GRU, Russia's military intelligence agency, and the latest high-ranking military figure to have been targeted in or near Moscow since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko stated that his attacker had fired three shots before fleeing, and that Korba had then travelled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the hours after the shooting. He has since been arrested and extradited.
Investigators discovered the weapon used in the attack, a Makarov pistol, and forensic tests are currently being conducted on the gun. Reports indicate that President Vladimir Putin thanked the UAE President for assistance in apprehending Korba.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha denied Kyiv's involvement in the attack, suggesting it is an internal Russian matter, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of attempting to sabotage peace negotiations between the two nations.
Korba is alleged to have had at least one accomplice, with another suspect named Viktor Vasin arrested and charged. A woman believed to be involved, Zinaida Serebritskaya, reportedly left for Ukraine.
The incident underscores the ongoing tension and violence between Russia and Ukraine, prompting fears of further escalations as both sides continue to target high-profile figures in the ongoing conflict.
