Identification of Three Suspects in Russian Military Official's Attack
In an event that shocked the nation, a prominent Russian military figure, Lt Gen Vladimir Alexeyev, was recently targeted and shot. Authorities have now revealed the names of three individuals believed to be connected to this startling incident.
Among those implicated is the alleged perpetrator of the crime, a man of Ukrainian descent who holds Russian citizenship, Lyubomir Korba. Authorities have stated that Korba traveled to the Russian capital, Moscow, in late December, reportedly on assignment from the Ukrainian intelligence services to carry out this act of terrorism. These accusations have been rejected by the Ukrainian side.
Details of the Attack and Subsequent Investigation
The 64-year-old Alexeyev was attacked in a residential area on the outskirts of Moscow. He was swiftly taken to a hospital where he underwent surgery and regained consciousness. Holding a high position in the main office of Russia's military intelligence, Alexeyev is the latest in a series of high-ranking military officials to be targeted since the escalation of the conflict with Ukraine.
Spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko reported that the assailant fired three shots and then fled the scene. It's believed that Korba made his way to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) just a few hours after the attack. However, he was subsequently apprehended and extradited.
Petrenko added, "A meticulous examination of the crime scene led to the discovery of the murder weapon—a pistol equipped with a silencer and three rounds of ammunition. Forensic tests are currently being conducted on the firearm."
It was reported that the Russian President expressed his gratitude to the UAE President for his country's assistance in apprehending Korba.
Political Repercussions and Accusations
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister insisted that Ukraine had no involvement in this incident, suggesting it was an internal matter for Russia. This was countered by his Russian counterpart who accused Ukraine of orchestrating the attack in an effort to disrupt peace talks between the two nations.
The head of the GRU, Adm Igor Kostyukov, who is also Alexeyev's superior, has been spearheading the Russian delegation in recent three-way talks involving Ukraine and the US, taking place in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi.
Other Suspects and Past Incidents
Korba is believed to have had at least one accomplice in this disturbing event. A man identified as Viktor Vasin has been taken into custody and charged by Moscow authorities.
Another person of interest is a woman named Zinaida Serebritskaya, who is thought to have played a role in the incident. She has since departed for Ukraine. However, further details about her involvement have not been provided.
In the past, Ukraine has been implicated in similar attacks on Russian military personnel. Russian intelligence officials alleged that they foiled an attempted attack on a Russian soldier in St Petersburg recently.
Earlier, an Uzbek man was incarcerated for his role in the 2024 bombing that resulted in the demise of another general, Igor Kirillov, outside a residential building in Moscow. Intelligence officials in Ukraine reportedly claimed responsibility for that attack.