Russia accuses Polish intelligence in general's assassination attempt

Russia has alleged that Polish intelligence services were involved in a plot to assassinate a high-ranking Russian general. The Federal Security Service (FSB) stated on Monday that the suspect in the attack on Lt. Gen. Vladimir Alekseyev was recruited by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) with Polish assistance, according to a detainee's confession.

Details of the alleged plot

The FSB released a video purporting to show suspect Lyubomyr Korba describing his recruitment in Ukraine in August 2025. He claims he was trained, vetted with a polygraph, and promised $30,000 for the killing. Korba stated his son, a Polish citizen, facilitated the connection with Polish intelligence. The attack occurred last Friday in Moscow, where Alekseyev, deputy head of Russia's military intelligence directorate, was seriously wounded but survived.

Arrests and international cooperation

Korba, a Ukrainian national, was arrested in Dubai with assistance from Emirati authorities and handed over to Russia. An alleged accomplice, Viktor Vasin, was detained separately in Moscow. Vasin is described as a supporter of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, an organization banned in Russia. The FSB asserts the plot is part of a pattern of dozens of attempts on Russian officials since the start of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.

Geopolitical context and responses

The accusation marks a significant escalation, directly implicating Poland, a NATO member and key ally of Ukraine. The Russian government classifies such incidents as terrorist acts orchestrated by Kyiv. Neither the Polish nor Ukrainian governments have issued an immediate statement addressing Moscow's specific claims. The incident underscores the covert warfare and intelligence operations characterizing the ongoing geopolitical standoff.