Another Russian Journalist and Kremlin Critic Found Dead; Body Found Near Highway With Heart Failure, Sources Say
Another Russian public figure has turned up dead amid suspicious circumstances.
Knewz.com has learned that Alexander Rybin, who fought for Russia against Ukraine between 2014 and 2015, but then became highly critical of the Russian administration’s handling of Mariupol after it was occupied, was discovered dead near a highway in the Rostov region on Saturday, January 6.
Alexander Rybin was reportedly unhappy with the pace at which Russia was rebuilding Mariupol. By: MEGA
Rabkor, a publication that claims to hold an objective anti-war stance (to which Rybin regularly contributed) posted an update to its Telegram Channel saying:
“Journalist and regular contributor to Rabkor Alexander Rybin was found dead near the highway near the city of Shakhty. His friend and mother report this.”
“The cause of death is currently being established,” via Telegram.
Russia’s state-run newspaper Ria Novosti also weighed in on the development, saying a law enforcement source told them that: “Journalist Alexander Rybin was found dead yesterday near a parking lot on the highway in the Krasnosulinsky district,” and that he had died of a heart disease.
Alexander Rybin cited large-scale corruption among the Russian forces in Mariupol. By: MEGA
“As a result of the autopsy, the cause of death was determined to be cardiomyopathy,” Ria Nostovi quoted the source saying.
According to the publication, said law enforcement official also noted that Rybin’s wallet remained on him, indicating that his death was not the result of criminal actions.
A statement by Rabkor notes the journalist’s achievements and coverage of the Middle East and Africa and even mentions that he broadcasted in Mariupol, but it says nothing about his criticism of Russia’s management in the area.
Western outlets like The UK Mirror and The Daily Mail, along with the odd Russian publication like Archedue.com, report that Rybin was vocal about what he deemed corruption in the currently occupied Mariupol.
In fact, one of his last televised appearances, on December 30, was on the topic.
Alexander Rybin is the second Russian media worker to die in days. By: Pexels/Pixabay
During the broadcast, he said: “There is gigantic money here (in Mariupol), there are gigantic opportunities for corruption.”
“My personal impression – I don’t blame anyone for anything… is that in Mariupol, which the Russian army occupied with heavy fighting in the spring of 2022, there is gigantic corruption going on.”
“2023, in my opinion,” he continued, “is no easier for Mariupol residents than what happened in 2022, unfortunately,” and promised to deliver more insights into the matter.
Rybin’s demise follows in the wake of another media member’s death.
Knewz.com reported on January 8, that 48-year-old Zoya Konovalova who was editor-in-chief at one of Putin’s online propaganda outlets, Kuban, died under suspicious circumstances.
Zoya Konovalova, who was editor-in-chief of Kuban TV, was found dead next to her ex-husband. By: East2West
Another Russian state-run news outlet, Ria Novosti weighed on her death claiming that she was poisoned.
Konovalova was found dead next to her ex-husband Andrey Gubatiyka at her Krasnoda home in southwestern Russia.