MOSCOW - Russian Defense Ministry Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev was hospitalized after an assassination attempt on Friday in northwest Moscow, local media reported, citing the Russian Investigative Committee.

According to the committee, an unidentified individual fired several shots at Alekseyev inside a residential building near Volokolamsk Highway before fleeing the scene.

A criminal case has been opened on charges of attempted murder and illegal firearms trafficking, and further investigation is underway, it added.