Russian General Shot in Moscow, Security Fears Rise Inside Military Leadership

Moscow: Moscow was gripped by tension on Friday after a shocking shooting incident left a senior Russian military officer seriously injured. Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev, one of the most powerful figures in Russia’s defence and intelligence structure, was shot in what authorities have described as an assassination attempt. He was immediately taken to a hospital for emergency medical treatment.

Russian state media confirmed the attack on February 6, 2026, but officials have so far refused to share details about his health condition. The Investigative Committee has registered a criminal case and said an inquiry is underway to identify those behind the attack. No arrests have been announced, and the motive remains unclear.

Alexeyev holds a key position as deputy chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff, commonly known as the GRU. Over the years, he has been closely involved in sensitive military and intelligence missions. He also played an important role during the Wagner Group rebellion in 2023, when he acted as a negotiator during one of the most dangerous internal crises faced by the Russian leadership.

The shooting has raised serious concerns because it took place in Moscow, a city considered one of the most heavily guarded in the country. Many observers believe the attack points to serious gaps in internal security and growing instability within the defence establishment. Public debate has intensified over how a senior commander could be targeted so openly in the capital.

This incident adds to a growing list of violent attacks on high-ranking Russian officials since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict. Independent investigative reports suggest that at least 19 Russian generals have been killed over the past four years. While official statements often avoid confirming such losses, open-source data has documented repeated deaths of senior officers in combat zones and targeted attacks.

Several generals have reportedly died due to missile strikes, sniper fire, bombings, and acts of sabotage. Some were serving in volunteer or mercenary-linked units, while others were killed far from the battlefield. These deaths have weakened the officer class and exposed the risks faced by even the highest-ranking figures.

Losses among ordinary soldiers have been even more devastating. Independent counts confirm more than 152,000 military deaths, while Western estimates suggest total casualties could exceed one million. A large number of the dead come from rural regions, highlighting the uneven social impact of the war.