Russia Says Suspect in Shooting of Top GRU Deputy Detained in Dubai
FSB said Lyubomir Korba, born 1960, was detained in Dubai and returned to Russia over the March 1, 2026, shooting of Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseyev.
Overview
The Federal Security Service said Lyubomir Korba, a Russian citizen born in 1960, was detained in Dubai and handed over to Russian authorities on suspicion of shooting Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseyev on March 1, 2026.
Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseyev, 64, was ambushed and shot several times in a stairwell of his northwest Moscow apartment building on March 1, 2026, and was hospitalized, according to Investigative Committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the attack an apparent "terrorist act" intended to derail peace talks, while Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told Reuters that Kyiv had nothing to do with the shooting.
The Investigative Committee said it recovered a Makarov pistol with a silencer, identified two alleged accomplices—one detained in Moscow and one who fled to Ukraine—and opened a criminal probe for attempted murder.
The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin spoke with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to thank him for assistance in the suspect's apprehension, and the Investigative Committee said questioning and possible charges are ongoing.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources show mild framing: editorial choices foreground Russian claims—FSB detainment notices and Lavrov’s characterization of an apparent “terrorist act”—and link the attack to prior assassinations while noting Kyiv’s silence. Those narrative placements and emphases shape perception; direct quotations and official allegations remain source content rather than reporter assertion.
Sources (15)
FAQ
Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseyev, born April 24, 1961, in Holodky village, Ukraine, has served as first deputy head of Russia's GRU military intelligence since 2011. He was involved in operations in Syria and Ukraine, sanctioned by the US and EU for cyber interference and the Skripal poisoning, and awarded Hero of Russia medal.
On March 1, 2026, 64-year-old Lt. Gen. Alekseyev was ambushed and shot several times in a stairwell of his Moscow apartment building, hospitalized with serious wounds. A Makarov pistol with silencer was recovered.
Lyubomir Korba, a Russian citizen born in 1960, was detained in Dubai and extradited to Russia for the shooting. Two accomplices were identified: one detained in Moscow, the other fled to Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called it a terrorist act to derail peace talks. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha denied Kyiv's involvement. Putin thanked UAE for help in apprehending the suspect.
The attack occurs amid assassinations of Russian military officials and figures, which Moscow blames on Kyiv, with Ukraine claiming some. Kremlin urged better protection for senior officers amid Ukraine conflict.
History
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