Putin propagandist dies ‘suddenly’ at 58 in mysterious circumstances

Russia is known for its rich and powerful dying under suspicious circumstances, and the latest is a Russian-Ukrainian collaborator dying of a ‘prolonged illness’ – despite no previous report of one

Yet another of Russia’s high-profile elite has died “suddenly” – this time a Russian-Ukrainian media mogul and collaborator whose loyalties were with Putin. It’s the latest in a long string of oligarch deaths officially ruled as suicides, illnesses and accidental deaths.

Kirill Vyshinsky, the executive director of state media Ria Novosti, died aged 58. The cause of death was a “severe, prolonged illness”, said state media. However, no illness had previously been reported. In 2018, he was arrested for high treason after working for Russian propaganda as a journalist. A year later, he was transferred to Moscow as part of a “35 for 35” prisoner exchange.

Although he was born in Ukraine, he denounced his citizenship and got a Russian passport. By law, a Ukrainian is allowed dual citizenship, but only with countries that support Ukraine and respect its borders. It excludes Russia.

Once living in Moscow, he became a vocal supporter in the media of the invasion. He called it “denazification” because Ukrainians had “lost the ability to think rationally”.

In 2023, he spoke at a UN Security Council meeting, accusing Ukraine of “Russophobia” and “suppressing the rights of Russian-speaking citizens.” Reports say Vladimir Putin is clinging onto power by creating a “mafia” state and murdering oligarchs and officials to scare his allies into submission.

Numerous elite have died under suspicious circumstances, from oil tycoons to ministers.

Their fate is often falling from a window, called “defenestration” from the Latin word fenestra, for window.

But the causes of death can get more imaginative. In July, Roman Starovoit was found “with a gunshot wound” in his car just hours after he was fired as Russia’s transport minister.

It was ruled a suicide and Putin even said he was “shocked” by his death.

In April, a mega rich Russian oligarch died in a “tragic shooting range accident”, aged 46. He was checking to see if his gun was loaded when he seemingly shot himself.

Even Putin’s friends aren’t immune. Oil baron Alexander Subbotin reportedly died in 2022 after undergoing a bizarre “poisonous toad” remedy which had been prescribed by a shaman to cure a hangover.

At least five Russian oligarchs died in mysterious circumstances the ten weeks following Vladimir Putin launching his invasion of Ukraine.

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