Another violent death linked to Russia creates shockwaves

A young politician and former military officer, once considered a hero by Russian authorities, died when a bomb exploded in Stavropol, southern Russia. Zaur Gurtsiev, 34, was a councilman and deputy mayor of the city of Stavropol at the time of his death. The man who detonated the bomb is also believed to have died, according to Russian state media, which confirmed that it was a premeditated murder.

Andriy Portnov, a former senior Ukrainian official known for his close ties to Moscow, was shot dead outside his children’s school in Madrid after dropping them off in the morning, Reuters reports. The incident occurred near the American School of Madrid, where one or more unidentified assailants opened fire. Portnov had held a senior position under Viktor Yanukovych, the pro-Russian Ukrainian president who was ousted in 2014 during the Maidan Revolution. This fall from power marked a major political turning point in Ukraine, ushering in a Western-backed government and angering Russia. Portnov was 51 years old.

Vadim Stroykin fell from a ninth-floor window during a security services visit, according to Russian authorities. The author and musician’s relatives are devastated and have publicly questioned the official announcement suggesting suicide. Stroykin was reportedly under investigation and questioned for donating to the Ukrainian military, according to The Guardian.

Two colonels have also joined the list of those who have accidentally fallen from building windows in recent months. Pictured here is Artur Pryakhin, who died after falling from a fifth-floor window in Petrozavodsk. The second, Alexey Zubkov, also a forensic expert, reportedly survived a 40-foot fall from a bathroom window. He was never able to explain the cause of his fall to those at the scene.

Famous Russian ballet dancer Vladimir Chklyarov died after falling from the fifth floor from a building, several Russian state media confirmed. While a federal investigation has been opened, the authorities believe that it was an accident. Vladimir Shklyarov was 39 years old.

A prominent figure and former energy executive was found dead after falling from a window, Russian state media reported, as authorities suggested a suspected suicide. Mikhail Rogachev was the former vice-president of the energy company Yukos. Mikhail Rogachev was 64 years old.

Andrei Morozov, a Russian military blogger, apparently committed suicide after reporting what he saw during the Ukraine invasion, including severe Russian losses. The authorities suggest that Morozov said he wanted to “execute” himself in order to prevent his comrades and relatives from being victims of reprisals, AP reports. Morozov was 44 years old.

The son of Igor Sechin, one of Vladimir Putin’s closest ally, died suddenly. The circumstances of his death are compared to those of Alexey Navalny. Ivan Sechin felt unwell at his residence before collapsing. Poisoning is suspected.

Russian pilot Maxim Kuzminov, who had decided to fight for Ukraine since the Russian invasion, was shot in Spain, where he had taken refuge, reports the BBC. He was reportedly the victim of multiple gunshots. A car used by at least one suspect was found burned near the scene of the tragedy.

Russia’s most prominent opposition leader of the past decade, Alexey Navalny, has died in a Russian prison, authorities say. Vladimir Putin’s most courageous, motivated and charismatic opponent was serving a 19-year prison sentence for reasons that are obviously associated with his political activism.
He had been transferred to one of Russia’s toughest prisons and staff there say Navalny “felt bad” after a walk, BBC reports.

While all signs point to confirmation of the death of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the paramilitary group Wagner, it adds to a long list of spectacular and bizarre deaths of important figures linked to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine. The plane in which Prigozhin would have taken place seems to have exploded in mid-flight, while what remained of it fell in free fall before crashing on the ground, killing all the occupants instantly.

It is now confirmed that a car explosion killed Daria Dugina, a news anchor, TV commentator and daughter of a Russian nationalist known as “Putin’s brain”. The daughter of the influential Russian political theorist was killed in a car bombing on the outskirts of Moscow, officials said.

A very suspicious and sudden death, as Andrey Michkov, father of the young and talented hockey player Matvei Michkov, was found dead in a pond after going missing for a few days. His son, whom was drafted early in the NHL in 2023, said he was devastated by the news. Andrey Michkov was only 51 years old.

A Russian general who reportedly served as Ukraine’s top military commander last year has died. Army General Gennady Zhidko died at the age of 58 “following a long illness” according to the official statement.

The death of Viatcheslav Rovneiko strikes the imagination, he who was not only an oligarch, but also considered a spy for Putin and ex-KGB. He was nicknamed the Belgian spy.

Former Russian general Vladimir Makarov has been found dead and authorities are hinting at a suicide. Makarov’s alleged depression and suicide come weeks after he was fired by Vladimir Putin himself.

Marina Yankina, 58, finance and procurement officer for the Russian Defense Ministry’s Western Military District, was pronounced dead after a fatal fall from a window of a building in St. Petersburg.

Former Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Ground Forces, he died unexpectedly in a military hospital.

Former manager of Roscosmos, Sukhoi, Lukoil, Bank Menatep and Russdragmet. It seems he would have burn alive after falling asleep with a cigarette…

Former Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Dagestan. He died after being hit by a car while crossing a street!

Pavel Antov, 65, a Russian politician and billionaire, was found dead at a hotel in Rayagada district, Odisha, India. Antov’s death has sparked much speculation, as his friend Vladimir Budanov was found dead in the same hotel a few days earlier. Both men openly criticized the Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to the police, Antov fell from a window on the third floor of the hotel.

Vladimir Budanov died at the same hotel as his colleague and friend Pavel Antov, one of many suspicious deaths occuring since the Russian invasion of Ukraine so far.

The suspicious death of the crypto genius Nikolai Mushegian reignites the most extravagant theories. He predicted his death just days before he was found drowned under nebulous circumstances.

Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei died suddenly of unknown causes, according to several sources.

Pavel Pchelnikov, an executive of the national railway company Russian Railways (RDZ), was found shot dead on the balcony of his apartment in Moscow. The man was 52 years old.

Anatoly Gerashchenko, the former director of the Moscow Aviation Institute reportedly died “accidentally” when he slipped and fell down a staircase at the institute’s headquarters in the Russian capital.

Ivan Pechorin, 39, was general director of the Far East Development Corporation. Vladimir Putin’s point man for exploiting Russia’s vast Arctic resources reportedly “fell into the sea” while sailing off the country’s Pacific coast.

Ravil Maganov, the chairman of the board of directors of Lukoil, a private Russian oil company, reportedly jumped from the sixth floor of a Moscow hospital. According to authorities, Ravil Maganov was suffering from severe depression.

Oligarch Alexander Subbotin, a member of the board of directors of Lukoil Trading House, a subsidiary of oil and gas giant Lukoil, mysteriously died after receiving a treatment from a shaman that caused him to suffer a cardiac arrest.

Former manager at Russian gas giant Novatek Sergey Protosenya’s body was found in front of the Spanish villa he was renting. His wife and daughter were also found dead.

Former Vice President of Gazprombank Vladislav Avayev, his wife and daughter were found dead in their Moscow apartment.

Russian billionaire Vasily Melnikov died in his luxurious apartment in Nizhny Novgorod. He was found dead, as were his wife and two children.

Mikhail Watford, an oligarch born in Ukraine, was found dead in the garage of his home in Wentworth, England. His wife and children were unharmed.

Alexander Tyulyakov, an executive at Gazprom, was found hanged in his cottage in the village of Leninsky

Leonid Shulman, also a former executive at Gazprom, was found dead in his cottage in the village of Leninsky where he was on vacation.