Russian state media report that Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseyev, the target of an assassination attempt, regained consciousness after surgery and is no longer in life-threatening condition. Meanwhile, more details are emerging.
State news agency TASS said Alekseyev, who is under EU and US sanctions, “has regained consciousness after surgery and is conscious.” “Doctors cautiously say there is no threat to his life, medical sources told TASS,” the outlet reported.
The international volunteer intelligence community InformNapalm said it assesses the likelihood of Ukrainian special services being behind the incident as low. The reason, it said, is that the method does not match the established signatures of operations previously attributed in Russia’s information space to Ukrainian special services in Moscow.
InformNapalm noted that an unknown assailant opened fire with a small arm at close range.
In 2024–2025, all known successful assassinations of Russian generals and senior security officials in the Moscow region shared a common trait: the use of explosive devices.
Using a firearm at close range deviates from that pattern and more closely aligns with scenarios of:
- internal security score-settling,
- interagency or clan rivalries within Russian structures,
- or an operation carried out by a third party.
Lt. Gen. Alekseyev has been sanctioned by the US and EU for alleged involvement in serious war crimes, which significantly broadens the range of possible motives and interested parties.
“Thus, the method of the attempt is atypical, which does not allow this incident to be automatically fitted into the Russian propaganda narrative of a ‘Ukrainian trace’ and, on the contrary, points to likely internal processes within Russia’s system of power,” the researchers said.
The popular Russian outlet VChK-OGPU, which is linked to Russia’s security services, went further, claiming that Alekseyev - who typically traveled discreetly with security—was at an apartment on Volokolamskoye Highway where he was shot for a salacious reason: he was visiting a mistress, and because he was alone he became “easy prey.” These claims cannot be independently verified, but the version is drawing attention. Details about Alekseyev’s family are classified, though it is known they own multiple elite properties in Moscow, and this building is not among them. Most apartments there were reportedly rented out, and the killer opened the door with his own key. His face was covered, making identification impossible. The building’s cameras were not working, so police canvassed neighbors, who said Alekseyev had been visiting a young woman with a small child. The general’s official spouse is 63, and their children are well over 30. Earlier, sources said this was not Alekseyev’s permanent residence; he appeared there intermittently, believing counter-surveillance measures would keep him from being tracked.
Security was present in the building, but they “missed” the gunman because he took the stairs while they used the elevator.
