FSB Accuses Ukraine of Involvement in Shooting of Russian Intelligence Official

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has accused Ukraine’s security service of orchestrating the assassination attempt on a senior Russian military intelligence official. This announcement followed the detention of a suspect, whom the FSB identified as Lyubomir Korba, a Russian citizen, in Dubai. According to FSB statements, Korba was extradited to Russia with the help of the United Arab Emirates.

Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseyev became the latest victim in a series of attacks on top military figures within Russia, incidents often attributed to Ukrainian involvement. Alekseyev suffered multiple gunshot wounds at his residence in northwestern Moscow on Friday, as reported by Russia’s Investigative Committee. His condition remains undisclosed since the incident.

Russian Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev. AFP – Getty Images

The FSB revealed on Monday that two additional individuals, both alleged accomplices of Korba, have been identified. One was apprehended in Moscow, while the other reportedly fled to Ukraine. Both are Russian nationals, according to FSB disclosures.

The agency further reported that Korba and one accomplice confessed, admitting the attack was directed by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). Although there’s been no official response from Kyiv regarding these claims, the FSB detailed that Korba was allegedly recruited, trained, and dispatched to Russia by the SBU in August 2025.

It is asserted that Korba conducted surveillance on high-ranking Russian military officials in Moscow, obtained a firearm supposedly planted by the SBU, and received an electronic entry key to Alekseyev’s apartment building from one accomplice. The FSB alleges that on the day of the attack, Korba waited for Alekseyev near an elevator and fired four shots at him before fleeing to the UAE, where he was later apprehended.

Intriguingly, one of the alleged accomplices is purportedly linked to the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, suggesting a wider political narrative. The FSB released videos, also shared by state news agency Tass, in which Korba and one accomplice confessed to the crime. However, it remains unclear whether these confessions were made under duress.

Additional videos released include surveillance footage from the crime scene and scenes depicting Korba’s extradition while blindfolded and restrained, escorted by FSB agents. NBC News has contacted the SBU for their comment on these allegations.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha refuted the FSB’s assertions, reiterating Ukraine’s non-involvement in the attack. The story takes on a broader geopolitical context given Alekseyev’s involvement in previous high-profile incidents, notably his role during the 2023 mutiny led by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin and his prior sanctioning by the European Union in relation to the Skripal poisoning case in England in 2019.

Information in this report was contributed by Yuliya Talmazan, an NBC News Digital reporter located in London, in conjunction with Daryna Mayer and Reuters.