In brief
Lt Gen Vladimir Alexeyev, a high-ranking official in Russia's military intelligence, has successfully undergone surgery and regained consciousness after being shot multiple times in Moscow. Russian officials have blamed Ukraine for the incident, while two suspects have been arrested. The general's condition has stabilized, and a criminal investigation is underway.
A Russian general who was shot several times in Moscow on Friday has regained consciousness after successfully undergoing surgery, according to reports in Russian media. Lt Gen Vladimir Alexeyev, who is Russia's deputy head of military intelligence, was rushed to hospital in serious condition on Friday morning after the attack in the north-western outskirts of the capital. Two suspects have reportedly been arrested and will soon be taken in for questioning. Russian officials have blamed Kyiv for the shooting, but Ukraine's foreign minister denied involvement, according to Reuters. Doctors said on Saturday it can be 'cautiously stated that the threat to [Alexeyev's] life has passed', Russia's state news agency Tass has reported. The highly decorated general was ambushed on the landing inside his apartment block, where a gunman inflicted three bullet wounds. He was reportedly hit in the chest or abdomen before the attacker and an accomplice fled the scene. Alexeyev was taken to a Moscow hospital with injuries where he reportedly underwent successful surgery. 'Afterwards, Alexeyev was placed in a medically induced coma. He has now regained consciousness. At this point, it can be cautiously stated that the threat to his life has passed,' medical sources said, according to Tass. Investigators opened a criminal case for attempted murder, and a court hearing could take place on Sunday to determine the suspects' pretrial detention. Alexeyev, 64, is the latest high-ranking military figure to be targeted near Moscow since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. He has played a significant role in the war in Ukraine and was previously awarded the Hero of Russia title for his part in Moscow's military intervention in the Syrian civil war. No one has so far claimed Friday's attack, but Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pointed the finger at Ukraine, saying it was an attempt at disrupting negotiation processes. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced ongoing efforts for peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv facilitated by the US.
