Russian authorities are conducting an investigation into the demise of a notable individual who fell to his death from a window. Vyacheslav Leontyev, aged 87, the enigmatic leader of Pravda publishing house, plunged 70 feet from his residence in western Moscow. He oversaw the renowned Soviet newspaper Pravda, the primary publication of the ruling Communist Party, and remained in his position well beyond the disintegration of the USSR in 1991.
Known for his insight into the party’s undisclosed wealth, Leontyev passed away on a Saturday evening. Law enforcement is exploring whether his death was accidental, a suicide, or involved foul play. Exiled journalist Andrey Malgin commented on the “peculiar death,” stating that the string of fatal falls continues, emphasizing that Leontyev was discovered near his dwelling on Molodogvardeyskaya Street.
Suggesting a potential hidden fortune, Malgin, who was acquainted with Leontyev, described him as an underground millionaire, highlighting his extensive knowledge of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Central Committee’s financial resources. Unverified reports indicated that Leontyev had been facing health issues.
In recent times, Russia has witnessed a series of deaths involving prominent executives of major corporations during and prior to the conflict in Ukraine. Just last month, the body of former St. Petersburg transportation chief Alexander Fedotov was found outside a luxury hotel at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo international airport. He had been residing on a high-level floor during a business trip, with a criminal inquiry initiated as no suicide note was located.
Fedotov had connections to Vladimir Putin’s transport minister Roman Starovoit, whose suspicious death in July, termed as suicide following his dismissal by Putin, raised doubts amid allegations of torture prior to his demise. Numerous deaths under questionable circumstances include those of Lukoil magnate Ravil Maganov and Lukoil vice-president Vitaly Robertus, both of whom had opposed Putin’s military actions.
The sequence of incidents also encompassed sudden deaths such as that of Russian senator Vladimir Lebedev and Lukoil-associated individuals, indicating a concerning trend. These fatalities have drawn attention to the uncertainties surrounding the circumstances leading to the demise of influential figures in Russia.