Moscow – Chaos erupted late last night in a luxury penthouse overlooking the Moskva River as a protracted gun battle unfolded, leaving at least three individuals injured and prompting a massive police response. Initial reports indicate the incident involved former MI6 operative, Alec Newport, known professionally as “The November Man,” and a group of unidentified individuals linked to a shadowy Russian intelligence operation.

The firefight, which lasted approximately 20 minutes, began around 11:30 PM local time. Witnesses described a sudden burst of gunfire followed by a frantic scramble for cover amidst expensive furniture and shattered crystal. Security personnel, seemingly overwhelmed by the speed and intensity of the attack, were quickly neutralized. “It was like something out of a war movie,” recounted Dimitri Volkov, a hotel concierge who witnessed the event. “One minute, the room was quiet. The next, it was a storm of bullets. I dove under a table and prayed.”

Authorities have confirmed that Newport, a man with a long and turbulent history within British intelligence, is currently at large. He was reportedly meeting with the individuals involved in the shooting to discuss a sensitive matter relating to a network of arms dealers operating within Eastern Europe. Sources close to the investigation suggest the meeting quickly deteriorated into a violent confrontation.

“He’s a ghost,” stated Inspector Sergei Petrov, the lead investigator on the case. “He’s been operating outside of established channels for years. This isn’t about a simple deal gone wrong; this has deeper roots. We believe this incident is connected to a wider operation involving stolen technology and potentially destabilizing influence.”

Adding to the intrigue, a partially destroyed laptop recovered from the scene contains encrypted data, currently being analyzed by a specialist team. Preliminary assessments suggest the data could expose a network of corrupt officials and highlight a disturbing level of cooperation between organized crime and certain elements within the Russian security apparatus.

Newport’s former handler, Elias Thorne, issued a brief statement earlier today, expressing concern for the operative’s safety and emphasizing the unpredictable nature of his work. “Alec’s always been…complicated,” Thorne said grimly. “He operates on the edges, and he doesn’t always play by the rules. This is likely to have significant repercussions for both our agencies.” The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.