Russian Defense Ministry Employee Found Dead in St Petersburg g1globocom

Russian Defense Ministry Employee Found Dead in St. Petersburg g1.globo.com

1 of 2 Marina Yankina, former Head of the Financial Support Department of the Western Military District of the Ministry of Defense of Russia — Photo: Russian Federation Council Marina Yankina, former Head of the Financial Support Department of the Western Military District of the Ministry of Defense of Russia — Photo: Council of the Russian Federation

On Wednesday (15th) the head of the financial support department of the Western Military District of the Russian Defense Ministry Marina Yankina, 58, was found dead near a building in St. Petersburg. The official played an important role in Vladimir Putin’s government, most notably in the war in Ukraine.

Preliminary information released by the Russian government indicates Yankina committed suicide. His personal belongings and documents were found on a balcony of the building.

Mash, a Russian news channel on Telegram, reported that Yankina called her exhusband and told her what she was going to do, where she was leaving her things and also asked to call the police. No official reason was given, but Mash reported that she was struggling with health issues.

Russian authorities said they are investigating the case.

Two dead in two days

2 of 2 Former Russian Major General Vladimir Makarov — Photo: Russian Federation Council Former Russian Major General Vladimir Makarov — Photo: Russian Federation Council

Two days earlier, on Monday (13th), another employee of Vladimir Putin’s government was found dead in his home. Major General Vladimir Makarov, 72, helped oversee Russia’s crackdown on opposition activists.

Baza, a news outlet on Telegram believed to have ties to Russian security services, quoted unnamed sources as saying Makarov allegedly shot himself with a rifle at his home in Moscow. The channel reported that the major general fell into a depression after being sacked by Putin’s government in January.

In recent months, like Yankina and Makarov, several Russian tycoons and highranking officials have died under mysterious circumstances.