Senior Russian Counterintelligence Officer Shot Dead in Moscow Defense Ministry Building

In a shocking development, a senior lieutenant with Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) was shot and killed inside a Russian Defense Ministry building in central Moscow, Russian sources reported on Tuesday.

The officer, identified as Vladimir Feshchenko, a counterintelligence specialist, was reportedly fatally shot in the head. The incident was first disclosed by a Russian Telegram channel claiming connections to the Kremlin’s security services. While the Russian state-controlled media confirmed Feshchenko’s death, they refrained from explicitly referencing the FSB or providing additional details about the circumstances of the shooting.

The exact motive behind the killing remains unclear, with no official statements released by Moscow’s security agencies. Speculations have arisen about potential internal conflicts or external threats targeting high-ranking intelligence officers within Russia.

Newsweek reported reaching out to the Russian Defense Ministry for further comment, but no immediate response was received.

This incident raises further questions about security measures and ongoing tensions within Russia’s intelligence and defense communities. Observers are closely monitoring for any official updates or signs of broader implications tied to this high-profile killing.