Suspect in shooting of Russian intelligence officer detained in Dubai
Moscow blames Ukraine, Kyiv denies involvement
Moscow, Feb 8, KNT: Russia’s Federal Security Service said on Sunday that the man suspected of shooting a senior Russian military intelligence officer in Moscow has been detained in Dubai and handed over to Russian authorities.
In a statement, the Federal Security Service said a Russian citizen identified as Lyubomir Korba was arrested in Dubai on suspicion of carrying out the shooting and subsequently transferred to Russia.
Investigators said Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev, the deputy head of Russia’s military intelligence agency, was shot multiple times inside an apartment block in Moscow on Friday. Russian media reported that Alexeyev underwent surgery following the attack.
The shooting triggered a high-level security response, with Russian authorities launching a criminal investigation into what they described as an attempted assassination of a senior defence official.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Ukraine of being behind the attack, alleging that the shooting was aimed at undermining ongoing peace efforts. He said the incident was intended to sabotage negotiations related to ending the conflict.
Ukraine, however, rejected the accusation and said it had no involvement in the shooting.
Alexeyev serves under Admiral Igor Kostyukov, who leads Russia’s military intelligence service. Kostyukov has been heading Russia’s delegation in negotiations with Ukraine currently being held in Abu Dhabi, focusing on security-related elements of a potential peace agreement.
Russian authorities said further details regarding the investigation and the suspect’s alleged role will be made public as proceedings move forward. [KNT]
