One of Vladimir Putin's top military generals has been shot in an alleged assassination attempt. Lt Gen Vladimir Alekseyev was shot several times by an unidentified assailant in Moscow on Friday and has been hospitalised with gunshot wounds, Investigative Committee spokeswoman Svetlana Petrenko said. Alekseyev, who has served as the first deputy head of Russia's military intelligence since 2011, was attacked near his home on Volokolamskoye Highway, according to Telegram‑based news channel SHOT.