Ukraine denies involvement in shooting of Russian military general

Ukraine denied any involvement in the shooting of a senior Russian military intelligence official in Moscow, rejecting accusations from Russia’s foreign minister that Kyiv was behind the attack.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told Reuters that Ukraine had “nothing to do” with the shooting of Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev, a deputy head of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency.

Earlier on February 6, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of orchestrating the attack, describing it as an assassination attempt aimed at undermining potential peace talks.

“This terrorist act has once again confirmed the determination of [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy’s regime to engage in constant provocations aimed at disrupting the negotiation process,” Lavrov said.

According to Russian officials, Alexeyev was shot several times in the back by an unknown assailant inside a residential building in Moscow on February 6. He was hospitalised following the attack, officials said.

Russia’s Investigative Committee said it had opened a criminal case on charges of attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms. 

By Sabina Mammadli