In May, Pyotr Kucherenko, Russia’s Deputy Science Minister, passed away after falling seriously ill on an airplane.
Kucherenko, 46, died on a flight to Moscow from Havana where he had been on government business.
Kucherenko was married to Gurtskaya, a blind pop singer who has been honored as a People’s Artist of the Russian Federation, the country’s highest award in the performing arts.
She has publicly expressed support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, and reportedly signed a 2014 open letter from Russian cultural figures backing the annexation of Crimea.
These are just a few of the at least 30 deaths around the world that are said to be the result of a Russian purge.
Mysterious deaths
Any high-profile criticism of the war in Ukraine appears to be a death sentence.
These unexplained deaths and the ongoing Russian Purge have had a chilling effect on Russia’s richest and most powerful citizens.
Newsweek reports that there have been increased restrictions on foreign travel for the elite. And that the Kremlin is concerned that some individuals may defect.
