Two Allies of Russia's Fired Defense Minister Die Mysteriously in One Week

 

In a concerning series of events, two allies of Russia's former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu have reportedly died under mysterious circumstances within a day of each other. This latest development adds to the growing list of unexplained fatalities involving prominent Russian figures since the country's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The first victim, Magomed Khandayev, was a 61-year-old official serving as the head of the state examination department of Russia's Defense Ministry since June 2023. Khandayev was a direct subordinate to Timur Ivanov, the former Russian Deputy Defense Minister who was arrested on corruption charges in April. While the details surrounding Khandayev's death remain unclear, his close ties to the Defense Ministry leadership have raised eyebrows.

The second individual, 52-year-old businessman Igor Kotelnikov, was found dead on July 8 in a pretrial detention center in Moscow. Kotelnikov had been charged with bribing senior Russian Defense Ministry officials. According to Eva Merkacheva, a member of Russia's human rights council, Kotelnikov died after feeling unwell in his cell, which is reportedly often overcrowded and in poor condition.

Merkacheva stated that Russian human rights activists were unable to save Kotelnikov, as his "heart stopped." The VChK-OGPU outlet, which claims to have inside information from Russian security forces, reported a more ominous version of events. The outlet alleged that FSB investigators had hoped to obtain testimony from Kotelnikov against Ivanov, but the businessman refused to admit guilt or provide any incriminating evidence. Reportedly, Kotelnikov was then placed in a "punishment cell," where he became ill and died the next morning.

These latest deaths are the latest in a series of mysterious fatalities involving prominent Russian figures since the invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin government has reportedly launched a "clean-up" operation within the Defense Ministry, likely on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to sources within the government.

The push to "clean up" the Defense Ministry comes amid growing concerns over corruption and mismanagement within the military apparatus. The arrests of high-ranking officials, such as Ivanov, and the subsequent deaths of their associates have fueled speculation about the extent of the internal power struggles and the lengths the Kremlin is willing to go to consolidate its control.

The deaths of Khandayev and Kotelnikov have added to the growing unease and sense of uncertainty surrounding the Russian political and military elite. As the war in Ukraine continues, the apparent targeting of Shoigu's allies raises questions about the stability and cohesion within the highest levels of the Russian government.

Newsweek's attempts to reach the Russian Defense Ministry for comment on these incidents have so far been unsuccessful. The lack of official response and the shroud of secrecy surrounding these deaths have only served to amplify the sense of mystery and concern.

As Russia navigates the ongoing challenges of the conflict in Ukraine and the internal power dynamics within its government, the fate of Khandayev, Kotelnikov, and other prominent figures will undoubtedly continue to be a subject of intense scrutiny and speculation. The seemingly unexplained nature of these deaths has fueled concerns about the tenuous grip the Kremlin holds on its institutions and the lengths it may go to maintain its grip on power.