Tensions between Moscow and London have escalated sharply after Russia’s security chief accused British intelligence of involvement in a recent assassination attempt on a senior Russian military official. According to Aleksandr Bortnikov, director of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), there is a clear “UK trace” in the attack on Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, first deputy chief of Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU).
The general was shot several times in the back earlier this month while standing near an elevator inside his apartment building in western Moscow. Despite sustaining serious injuries, Alekseyev survived the attack and is reportedly recovering. Russian authorities swiftly launched a high-profile investigation, describing the shooting as a targeted act of terrorism.
FSB Points to Kiev — and Beyond
In an interview with Russia’s state-run Vesti TV channel, Bortnikov stated that the assassination attempt was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services. However, he emphasized that Kiev did not act alone.
“We see the UK trace here, first and foremost. That’s why the investigation continues,” Bortnikov said, without elaborating on specific evidence linking British agencies to the operation.
The FSB chief alleged that Ukrainian operatives were backed by unnamed “third countries,” singling out the United Kingdom as a key actor. He declined to provide operational details but warned that Russia would not allow the incident to go unanswered.
“We are closely monitoring everything that is happening. Of course, we will never forget, and we will never forgive,” he added, describing any potential retaliatory measures as a “delicate issue.”
The accusations mark another serious flashpoint in already deteriorating relations between Moscow and London, which have been strained since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict.
Arrests and Alleged Confession
Russian authorities have detained three suspects in connection with the attack. The prime suspect has been identified as 65-year-old Lyubomir Korba, a Ukrainian-born Russian citizen. According to the FSB, Korba was apprehended abroad and extradited to Russia with the assistance of the United Arab Emirates.
Investigators claim Korba admitted to working for Ukrainian intelligence and said he was promised $30,000 in exchange for killing Alekseyev. Russian officials further alleged that Polish special services helped facilitate the recruitment process by leveraging Korba’s son, who is reportedly a Polish citizen.
While Moscow has presented these claims as evidence of a coordinated Western-backed plot, no independent verification of the alleged confession or the broader accusations has been made public.
Strategic Implications
Lieutenant General Alekseyev occupies a significant position within Russia’s military intelligence structure. As first deputy chief of the GRU, he plays a critical role in overseeing intelligence operations and strategic planning. An attack on such a senior figure signals either a major security breach or a deliberate attempt to send a political message.
The alleged involvement of British intelligence, if substantiated, would represent a dramatic escalation in covert hostilities between Russia and NATO-member states. London has consistently denied involvement in sabotage or assassination plots inside Russia, accusing Moscow in turn of conducting covert operations across Europe.
The FSB’s statement also fits into a broader narrative advanced by Russian officials that Western governments are directly supporting Ukrainian intelligence activities beyond conventional military aid.
Growing Shadow War?
Security analysts suggest that the war between Russia and Ukraine has increasingly taken on the characteristics of a shadow conflict, involving cyber operations, sabotage, targeted killings, and intelligence warfare.
Since the start of hostilities, Russia has accused Western states of providing operational intelligence and planning assistance to Kiev. Western governments acknowledge supplying weapons and intelligence support but deny direct participation in targeted operations on Russian soil.
The assassination attempt on Alekseyev could further deepen mistrust and intensify covert confrontations. Moscow’s warning that it will “never forget” raises concerns about possible retaliatory measures, which could range from diplomatic expulsions to cyber operations or other asymmetric responses.
International Reaction Awaited
As of now, there has been no official response from the UK government regarding the FSB chief’s claims. In previous cases involving similar accusations, British authorities have dismissed Russian allegations as unfounded and politically motivated.
The lack of publicly released evidence supporting Moscow’s assertions may limit international acceptance of the claims. However, the episode underscores how the Ukraine conflict continues to reverberate far beyond the battlefield, shaping intelligence operations and geopolitical tensions across Europe.
Whether the investigation will produce concrete proof of British involvement remains to be seen. What is clear is that the attempted assassination of one of Russia’s top intelligence officials has added another volatile layer to an already combustible geopolitical landscape.
