Vladimir Alekseyev was targeted by Ukrainian intelligence, but the plot was supported by the West, Aleksandr Bortnikov has said
FSB Director Aleksandr Bortnikov. © Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov
[RT] Britain’s
secret services were involved in the attempted assassination of
Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, Aleksandr Bortnikov, the Director
of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), has stated.
Alekseyev,
first deputy chief of Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), was
shot several times in the back earlier this month as he waited by an
elevator in his apartment block in western Moscow. He survived the
attack.
The Russian authorities have since detained three suspects
in connection with the assassination attempt, including the alleged
gunman – identified as 65-year-old Ukrainian-born Russian citizen
Lyubomir Korba – who was extradited to Russia with the assistance of the
United Arab Emirates.
In an interview with Vesti TV channel on Sunday, Bortnikov reiterated
that the assassination attempt was orchestrated by Kiev’s intelligence
services. However, they had been acting with the support of “third countries,” Bortnikov said.
”We
see the UK trace here, first and foremost. That’s why the investigation
continues,” the FSB chief said, without providing further details. He
pledged that Russia would not allow the attack to go unanswered,
describing any public discussion of specific retaliatory measures as “a delicate issue.”
“We are closely monitoring everything that is happening. Of course, we will never forget, and we will never forgive,” Bortnikov added.
The
FSB previously said that Polish special services helped Ukraine to
recruit Korba by using his son, who is a Polish citizen. Korba later
admitted working for Kiev, saying he was promised $30,000 for killing
the general.