FSB Accuses Ukraine of Involvement in Attack on Russian Intelligence Official

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has accused the Ukrainian security services of orchestrating the attack on a senior official within Russia’s military intelligence agency. This follows the detention of a suspect thought to be involved in the incident.

The suspect, identified as Lyubomir Korba, a Russian citizen, was arrested in Dubai and has since been extradited to Russia with the help of the United Arab Emirates, according to the FSB’s announcement on Sunday. In addition, the FSB has identified two accomplices in connection with the case.

The incident involved Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, who was shot multiple times at his residence located in the northwest region of the Russian capital. The Russian Investigative Committee reported the shooting last Friday, adding to a series of attacks against high-ranking military figures within Russia, often attributed to Ukraine.

As for General Alekseyev, following the attack, he was hospitalized; however, no official updates on his condition have emerged since the incident. The FSB has stated that one of Korba’s alleged accomplices was apprehended in Moscow, while another had fled to Ukraine. Both accomplices have been identified as Russian citizens.

“FSB detailed that both Korba and his accomplices have admitted their guilt, claiming the act was carried out under the orders of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU),” the statement mentioned.

The FSB provided further allegations, suggesting Korba was recruited and trained by the SBU by August 2025. Their statement indicated that Korba conducted reconnaissance on senior Russian military officials in the Moscow area, acquired a firearm provided by the SBU, and received an electronic key to access the apartment building where Alekseyev resided from one of his aides.

On the day of the attack, the FSB reported that Korba entered the building, laid in wait near the elevator, and when Alekseyev appeared, he fired four shots before fleeing to the United Arab Emirates. After requests from Russia, he was detained by authorities there.

The FSB also alleged that one of Korba’s accomplices was a supporter of the deceased Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Russian state news agency Tass distributed two videos on Monday, provided by the FSB. The footage features Korba and one of his accomplices admitting to the crime; however, it remains uncertain whether these admissions were made under pressure. Additionally, on Sunday, they released surveillance video footage from the vicinity of Alekseyev’s building, showcasing Korba’s capture, with him being escorted off a plane in handcuffs and blindfolded by FSB officials.

NBC News has reached out to the SBU for comments. Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, through a statement to Reuters, asserted that Ukraine had no involvement in the shooting of Alekseyev.

Alekseyev, 64, held a critical position during the mutiny led by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in the summer of 2023. In 2019, he faced sanctions from the European Union in relation to the poisoning case of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury, England, with the nerve agent Novichok.

Reporting by Yuliya Talmazan for NBC News Digital, based in London. Contributions by Daryna Mayer and Reuters.