Mysterious Deaths of Russian Power Players: Who’s Pulling the Strings in Moscow?
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Moscow has become the stage for a chilling series of mysterious deaths among Russia’s elite. Over 75 influential figures from political, military, and business circles have died under suspicious circumstances between February and July 2023. Coincidence or cold-blooded power play?
Who are the victims?
The list includes oligarchs, politicians, military officials, and people connected to state structures. Among them are Ravil Maganov, the head of Lukoil, who allegedly fell from a hospital window in Moscow, and Roman Starovoit, former governor of Kursk region, found dead with a pistol gifted by Putin himself.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner mercenary group, died in a plane crash two months after launching a rebellion against Putin. His group no longer exists, and his fall is just one in a string of mysterious events.
How did they die?
Moscow’s official version includes suicides, falls from windows, poisonings, heart attacks, and even family tragedies. But when you see the number of over 75 influential people dying in such a short time, it’s hard not to suspect something far darker.
Why the silence?
Russian media do not investigate these deaths, and official Moscow only expresses condolences and ignores Western media inquiries. Analysts who fled Russia mostly fear commenting but suggest it’s a struggle for power and control over resources, where potential threats to the regime are swiftly removed.
Fear and control
These deaths create an atmosphere of fear within the elite, strengthen authoritarian control, and deter any opposition to the regime. Professor Jeffrey Winters from the University of Illinois points out that it’s almost impossible to kill wealthy and powerful people in Russia without the state’s knowledge, as they have bodyguards, the best medical care, and access to all resources.
Ukraine and the West respond
Ukrainian advisor Mykhailo Podolyak clearly stated that disloyalty in Russia means death. Fiona Hill, former White House advisor on Russia, warns not to reduce all deaths to conspiracy theories but to see it as part of how nondemocratic regimes operate.
What’s next?
This series of mysterious deaths didn’t start with the invasion of Ukraine but only escalated. Even before the war, at least 38 businessmen close to the Kremlin died under suspicious circumstances. Is this just the beginning of a new era where power players in Russia are snuffed out like candles?
If you have theories or have heard something that might shed light on this dark story, feel free to drop a comment. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the one to uncover who’s really pulling the strings in Moscow!
