A Ukrainian-born Russian man suspected of shooting and seriously wounding Vladimir Alekseyev, a senior Russian military intelligence officer, has been arrested in Dubai and extradited to Russia, the FSB security service said Sunday. The incident comes amid a series of attacks on high-ranking Russian officials since the start of Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine.

Issued on: 08/02/2026 - 15:47

By: FRANCE 24 An investigator works outside a residential building where the assassination attempt on Russian Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev took place in Moscow, on February 6, 2026. © Anastasia Barashkova, Reuters A Russian man suspected of shooting and wounding senior Russian military intelligence officer Vladimir Alekseyev in Moscow has been arrested in Dubai, the Russian FSB security service said on Sunday.

The man in his 60s was "arrested and handed over to Russia" after fleeing to the United Arab Emirates, while a suspected accomplice was arrested in Moscow and another escaped to Ukraine, Russian media quoted the FSB as saying.

Several high-ranking military officials have been assassinated in Russia and in Moscow-controlled Ukrainian territory since Russia launched its full-scale military offensive against its neighbour in February 2022.

Alekseyev, the deputy head of Russia's GRU military intelligence service, was shot in a Moscow apartment on Friday and admitted to hospital.

He is under Western sanctions for his alleged role in cyberattacks and the organisation of a nerve agent attack on Russian defector Sergei Skripal in Britain in 2018.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused Ukraine of masterminding the shooting.

Kyiv, which has claimed responsibility for the killing of several high-ranking Russian military officials since the start of the war, has not commented in this case.

Read moreUkraine claims killing of senior Russian military official in Moscow

A Ukrainian-born Russian citizen has been extradited to Moscow from Dubai on suspicion of gravely injuring one of Russia's most senior military intelligence officers, Russian security officials and investigators said on Sunday.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters)

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