Russia’s foreign minister on Friday accused Ukraine of orchestrating an assassination attempt on a senior Russian military officer in Moscow, calling the attack an effort to derail ongoing peace discussions.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov made the allegation hours after Russian investigators confirmed that Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev was shot and seriously wounded in the capital. The officer was rushed to a hospital, where he remained under medical care, authorities said.
Lavrov said the attack appeared aimed at undermining diplomatic efforts to ease the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He claimed that the timing of the incident suggested a deliberate attempt to disrupt ongoing negotiations, although he did not provide evidence linking Kyiv directly to the attack.
“There is every reason to believe this was done to sabotage any movement toward negotiations,” Lavrov told Russian state media, stressing the strategic implications of targeting a high-ranking military official.
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Ukraine has not commented on the shooting or responded to Lavrov’s allegations.
Russian law enforcement agencies confirmed the shooting occurred earlier Friday in Moscow. Authorities said an investigation is ongoing to identify the perpetrator and determine the exact circumstances. This incident is the latest in a series of attacks targeting Russian military figures since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
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Officials did not provide details on whether the attack was carried out by a lone assailant or a coordinated group, citing security concerns.
The shooting comes amid a period of heightened tensions as Russia and Ukraine continue to clash across multiple fronts. Moscow has previously accused Kyiv of targeting Russian officials within Russia, though Ukraine has largely declined to respond to such claims.
Western analysts say the incident could further complicate diplomatic efforts. “Targeting senior military officials in the capital is a symbolic escalation, whether or not Kyiv was involved,” said Anna Petrov, a Russia analyst in London.
Moscow has also been accused by Western governments of using unverified claims to justify internal security measures and intensify military operations. The shooting may reinforce the Kremlin’s narrative of external threats and influence public perception at a sensitive time for ongoing peace talks.
