Assassination Attempt Targets Russian GRU General Alexeyev, Linked to Novichok and Mariupol.

Assassination Attempt on General Alexeyev

According to TSN.ua: On February 6th, an assassination attempt was made in Moscow against Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev, a senior Russian military intelligence officer responsible for directing multiple operations against Ukraine. As a high-ranking figure in Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), Alexeyev is also known for his involvement in transporting the nerve agent Novichok to Salisbury, England, for a 2018 poisoning operation.

The Life of Vladimir Alexeyev

Vladimir Alexeyev was born and raised in the village of Holodky in Ukraine's Vinnytsia region. His mother died in the autumn of 2014, and his father had passed away eight years earlier. Alexeyev last visited his home village in September 2014 for his mother's funeral. During the ongoing war, three local soldiers from Holodky have been killed and two are missing in action.

• Oleksandr Zaharodniy, a veteran who mobilized with the Ukrainian Armed Forces the day after the full-scale invasion began, shared his perspective:

  "I can only wish him the worst, if he is directing strikes against his own people." - Oleksandr Zaharodniy

• Lidiya, a local resident, stated:

  "In short, we are glad that this punishment has finally caught up with him, very glad. I wish him all the worst. I want him to feel everything. For our tears, for our children." - Lidiya

Currently, Holodky suffers from severe power outages due to Russian attacks, with electricity often cut for 19-20 hours per day. Alexeyev's children are rumored to reside in Germany. It is also notable that Alexeyev served as the primary Russian representative during the siege negotiations in Mariupol in May 2022. The GRU general's career illustrates the deep entanglement of Russia's foreign intelligence operations with its war against Ukraine.

The attempt on General Alexeyev's life, given his significant influence on Russia's military actions in Ukraine, has provoked strong reactions among local residents and veterans. This highlights how the conflict remains a focal point not just politically, but within communities enduring the war's consequences. By acknowledging local losses, the community of Holodky expresses its stance toward the military actions conducted against Ukraine and those who organize them. Events surrounding the general could impact his future activities and Russia's strategic approach to the conflict.