By SCM REPORTER
A TOP Russian general and key architect of the war in Ukraine is fighting for his life today after a professional hitman gunned him down in the heart of Moscow.
Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseev, the shadowy deputy chief of Russia’s GRU military intelligence, was ambushed in a hail of bullets inside a residential building on the city’s Volokolamsk Highway.
The cold-blooded assassin—who reportedly shot the general several times in the back—managed to vanish into the Moscow morning, sparking a frantic “intercept” manhunt across the capital.
Investigators say the gunman was lying in wait at the apartment block before opening fire. Alekseev, 64, was rushed to a high-security hospital where he remains in “serious condition” in intensive care.
The Russian Investigative Committee has launched a criminal case into the attempted murder of a public figure. A spokesperson confirmed: “An unidentified individual fired several shots at Alekseev before fleeing the scene. Investigative actions are ongoing.”
Who is Vladimir Alekseev?
The hit targets one of the most powerful and “brutal” figures in Putin’s military machine.
Intelligence Kingpin: As First Deputy Head of the GRU, he oversees the agency’s deadly Spetsnaz (Special Forces) units.
The Salisbury Connection: He is accused by the UK of overseeing the 2018 Novichok poisoning in Salisbury.
Wagner Handler: Alekseev was the man sent to negotiate with Yevgeny Prigozhin during the 2023 Wagner mutiny and is considered the “godfather” of Russia’s private mercenary armies.
Ukraine Mastermind: Since 2022, he has been the lead intelligence officer for the invasion of Ukraine, reportedly personally selecting targets for devastating missile strikes.
This morning’s bloodbath is the latest in a string of high-profile hits on the Kremlin’s top brass.
Just months ago, in December 2025, Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov was killed by a car bomb in Moscow. In April, another senior officer, Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, was blown up outside his home.
The timing of today’s attack is particularly embarrassing for the Kremlin, coming just 24 hours after Russian and Ukrainian negotiators concluded high-level talks in Abu Dhabi.
While Kyiv has not yet claimed responsibility, Ukrainian officials have previously warned that “justice inevitably comes” for those involved in the invasion. For now, Putin’s most feared spy chief remains under heavy guard in a Moscow hospital, while his attacker remains at large.
