Assassination attempt on Russian general Alekseyev: Journalist reveals unexpected twist
FSB agent emerges as unexpected new twist in Alekseyev case (photo: 24.tv)
Russian authorities announced the arrest of suspects in the assassination attempt on Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, Deputy Head of Russia's Main Directorate of the General Staff (GRU)—among those detained is a Ukrainian-born man and an employee of a company serving the Federal Security Service (FSB), according to BBC and Bellingcat investigative journalist Christo Grozev.
Read also: Kyiv rejects claims of involvement in attack on Russian general Alekseyev
Suspects and arrest details
Russian officials say the alleged attacker is 66-year-old Liubomyr Korba.
He was arrested in Dubai and extradited to Russia. Investigative authorities claim Korba is originally from Ukraine's Ternopil region and traveled to Moscow in late 2025 on orders from Ukrainian intelligence to carry out a terrorist act.
The second suspect, 67-year-old V. Vasin, was detained in Moscow. Christo Grozev highlighted the suspect's unusual workplace.
"One is a 66-year-old Ukrainian-born man who was detained in Dubai, but the other one — V. Vasin, 67 — works for an FSB company manufacturing surveillance tools. Plot twist," the journalist notes.
"Internal dispute" theory
Ukraine has officially denied any involvement. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stressed Kyiv had no connection to the incident.
Western media, including the Washington Post, suggest the attack may instead reflect internal power struggles among Russian elites and that Alekseyev was far more likely targeted due to internal disputes.
About General Alekseyev
Born April 24, 1961, in Holodky settlement of Ukraine's Vinnytsia region, Alekseyev graduated from the Ryazan Airborne Command School in 1984.
He has held key positions in the intelligence units of the Moscow and Far Eastern military districts and later led the 14th Directorate of Russia's Main Directorate of the General Staff.
Ukrainian intelligence says Alekseyev oversaw Russia's intelligence operations against Ukraine, organized missile and air strikes, and helped plan pseudo-referendums in occupied territories.
On the morning of February 6, an assassination attempt on Vladimir Alekseyev was carried out in Moscow. The incident occurred near the apartment building on Volokolamskoye Highway, where the Russian commander resides. An unknown assailant fired several shots at his back as he was approaching the entrance, then disappeared.
Also, Azov commander Denys (Redis) Prokopenko noted that Alekseyev had previously been involved in negotiations with Ukrainian defenders at Azovstal, ensuring they were treated properly while in captivity.
