Russia has identified three suspects involved in the shooting of high-profile military figure Lt Gen Vladimir Alexeyev. Among them is the man accused of carrying out the attack, Ukrainian-born Russian citizen Lyubomir Korba.
The Investigative Committee revealed that Korba arrived in Moscow in late December with alleged orders from Ukrainian intelligence services to execute a terrorist attack. However, Ukraine has denied any involvement in the incident.
Alexeyev, 64, was shot in a residential block of flats in north-western Moscow on Friday and subsequently hospitalized. Reports indicate he has regained consciousness post-surgery.
According to Russian authorities, Korba fled after the shooting, traveling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he was later arrested and extradited back to Russia. Russian state TV released footage showing his apprehension upon arriving at an unspecified location.
Following the shooting, investigators discovered the murder weapon - a Makarov pistol accompanied by a silencer and ammunition - at the scene. Russian media quote President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson as stating that he thanked the UAE President for their assistance in capturing Korba.
The incident occurs amid a series of attacks on high-ranking military officials in Russia, particularly since the beginning of the Ukraine invasion in February 2022. This shooting is part of an escalation in an already tense international climate, with mutual accusations between the two nations regarding targeting military officials.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has claimed that Ukraine had nothing to do with the attack, while Russian authorities continue to suggest it was intended to disrupt ongoing negotiations aimed at ceasing hostilities.
