Russia said on March 19 it will increase protection for senior military officials after a string of assassinations and attempted killings it attributes to Ukraine. Lt-Gen Vladimir Alexeyev, deputy head of the GRU, was shot three times in his Moscow apartment on February 6 and is reported to be recovering. FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov said security for top military figures will be tightened; Ukraine denied involvement.
Russia to Bolster Security for Senior Military Officials After Series of Attacks
FILE PHOTO: Federal Security Service (FSB) Director Alexander Bortnikov attends a meeting of the Federal Security Service (FSB) Board in Moscow, Russia February 27, 2025. Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via REUTERS/ File Photo
Moscow, March 19 — Russia announced on Thursday that it will strengthen protection for senior military officials following a sequence of assassinations and attempted killings that Moscow blames on Ukraine.
The most recent incident involved Lieutenant-General Vladimir Alexeyev, deputy head of the GRU military intelligence service, who was shot three times inside his Moscow apartment building on February 6. Ukrainian authorities have denied any involvement in the attack.
FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov was quoted by state media as saying Alexeyev is recovering and that security for senior figures would "of course" be tightened.
Russian officials have characterized the incidents as part of a wider pattern of targeted attacks against senior military personnel. Authorities say they will increase protective measures for high-ranking officers, though specific steps and timelines were not detailed in the initial report.
(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Maxim Rodionov; Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Alex Richardson)
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