Who is the “almost eliminated” General Alexeyev
Lieutenant General Volodymyr Alexeyev is one of the key leaders of Russian military intelligence (GRU), directly involved in the war against Ukraine. He is responsible for intelligence gathering, preparing target intelligence for missile strikes, and overseeing the work of Russian special services in occupied territories. Although he was born in Ukraine, Alexeyev has served in the Russian army for many years and is part of the top leadership of the GRU, according to the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine.
Volodymyr Stepanovych Alexeyev is a lieutenant general in the Russian Armed Forces and the first deputy head of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Federation (GRU). The GRU is one of the most secretive and influential structures in the Russian military, responsible for military intelligence, sabotage, special operations, and gathering information for strikes.
Alexeyev has held the position of first deputy head of the GRU since 2011, making him part of a small group of people who effectively manage Russian military intelligence. He was born on 24 April 1961 in the village of Holodky, Vinnytsia region, Ukraine. Formally, he is a native of Ukraine, but after the collapse of the USSR, he remained in Russian service and built his military career there.
Education and early career
He graduated from the Ryazan Higher Airborne Command School in 1984, one of Russia’s main institutions for training officers for airborne troops and special services.
Alexeyev served in military intelligence, commanding intelligence units in the Moscow and Far Eastern military districts. Later, he headed the 14th Directorate of the GRU, responsible for special operations and intelligence. After this, he was promoted and entered the top leadership of the GRU.
Role in the war against Ukraine
According to Ukrainian and international sources, Alexeyev plays a significant role in the war against Ukraine. He oversees intelligence used to carry out missile and air strikes, meaning these structures determine targets for attacks.
Specifically, he is involved in:
- Gathering intelligence on Ukrainian targets
- Preparing target intelligence for missile strikes
- Coordinating Russian special services
- Organising operations in occupied territories
Ukrainian intelligence also reports that he participated in establishing occupation administrations and organising so-called “referendums” in the territories captured by Russia.
Role in the Syrian conflict
Before the full-scale war against Ukraine, Alexeyev was involved in Russian military operations in Syria, where Russian forces carried out mass strikes on cities, resulting in thousands of civilian deaths. For his role, he received Russia’s highest state award — Hero of Russia — in 2017, awarded by a closed presidential decree, indicating the Kremlin highly valued his contributions.
Involvement in operations against the USA
Alexeyev is also linked to Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential elections. According to U.S. authorities, GRU units carried out cyberattacks on the Democratic Party’s computer systems, aiming to:
- Obtain political information
- Interfere in the election process
- Discredit the U.S. electoral system
For this, Alexeyev was included on U.S. sanctions lists.
Position within the GRU
As first deputy head of the GRU, Alexeyev is the second-in-command of one of Russia’s most important special services, responsible for military intelligence, sabotage, and special operations. This means he:
- Has access to top-secret information
- Participates in planning military operations
- Influences decisions regarding war strategy
Officers like him are key figures in Russia’s military system.
Sanctions and international accountability
Alexeyev is under international sanctions for:
- Participation in the war against Ukraine
- Involvement in cyber operations
- Activities threatening international security
These sanctions may freeze his assets and restrict his international travel.
Personal life
Alexeyev lives in Moscow and the Moscow region. Public records list several addresses connected to him. He also owned a Toyota Land Cruiser 200 and has spent many years as a career officer in Russian military intelligence.
Volodymyr Alexeyev is not just a military officer; he is one of the people who directly control Russian military intelligence. Officers like him:
- Organise intelligence operations
- Plan special operations
- Facilitate strikes on key targets
His actions are part of the Russian military machine waging war against Ukraine.
