Russian major, involved in Mariupol siege, dies in blast
Zaur Gurcijew, a Russian major responsible for the bombing of Mariupol, died under mysterious circumstances in an explosion in Stavropol. Alongside him, a man he had arranged to meet via a dating site also perished.
What do you need to know?
- Zaur Gurcijew, a Russian major who led attacks on Mariupol in 2022, died as a result of an explosion in Stavropol.
- Nikita Penkow, the man Gurcijew met, also died. They had connected through a dating site.
- An investigation is underway into a double murder and the illegal possession of explosives.
What are the reports from Russian sources?
Gurcijew's death was reported by the Russian program "Time of Heroes" portal, which extended condolences to his family. Major Zaur Aleksandrovich Gurcijew participated in the first edition of this television program and served as the first deputy mayor of the city of Stavropol. The portal recalls that Gurcijew "commanded the aerial part of the operation to liberate Mariupol," referring to his responsibility for the brutal bombings in the city and the siege of the Azov base. For causing the death of many people, he was awarded the Order of Courage and the Order of Military Merit, among other medals from Putin.
How did Major Gurcijew die?
The Russian officer died due to an explosion in Stavropol. He had arranged to meet Nikita Penkow, whom he had met through a dating site, and the two men had previously exchanged photos.
According to "Bild," the meeting might have had a dual purpose. The 34-year-old major might have been deliberately seduced by Penkow to carry out an assassination. The German newspaper speculates it might have been a so-called "honey trap." In the language of German services, this method involves agents reaching sources by establishing a romantic relationship with their target. During the meeting, Penkow was supposedly recording Gurcijew with a device that contained an explosive.
Was Penkow aware of the danger?
It remains unclear whether Nikita Penkow was aware of the explosive. Russian media suggest that he might have been part of a larger plot. Penkow, a former policeman, lived near the scene of the explosion. Investigators did not find bomb-making materials in his apartment.
What do the authorities say?
The governor of Stavropol, Vladimir Vladimirov, confirmed that the bodies of both men showed typical traces of an explosion. Authorities suspect that "Nazis from Ukraine" might be behind the attack. The investigation continues, and details have not been officially confirmed.
Source: vremiagierow.ru, "Bild"
