NEW DELHI: Russian war journalist Alexander Rybin, 39, was found dead near Shakhty, Russia, after promising to expose ‘gigantic corruption’ in Mariupol, a Ukrainian city invaded by Vladimir Putin, as reported by Daily Mail.
Rybin, who initially endorsed Putin’s annexation of the Donbas region visited Mariupol and presented a critical report on air, showing the slow progress of reconstruction in the city. Despite acknowledging an increase in immigrants and substantial funds from Russia for reconstruction, he strongly denounced the widespread corruption.
According to the report, Rybin planned to reveal more details during a live broadcast on Rabkor, a left-wing online platform before never making it back to Moscow.
Rybin’s body was discovered on a highway near Shakhty, only 130 miles from Mariupol. Once a bustling city with over 400,000 residents, Mariupol had suffered extensive damage from Russia’s forces during Putin’s 2022 invasion, causing numerous casualties and leaving the city in ruins.
Although the autopsy declared ‘cardiomyopathy’ as the official cause of death, Rybin’s bank cards and valuables were left undisturbed. After fighting in the invaded Luhansk for pro-Putin forces, Rybin grew unhappy with the ‘Russian Spring’ and subsequently worked as a journalist for various Russian media outlets globally.
In his final report from Mariupol on December 30, Rybin voiced worry about the city’s persistent challenges, highlighting the substantial corruption and difficulties experienced by its residents.
Ukrainian media outlet Obozrevatel referenced Rybin’s comments, pointing out his observations on the aftermath of shelling and his indication of corruption within the construction sector.
The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for Rostov Region stated that no initial signs of criminal death were discovered on Rybin’s body. However, an official cause of death is pending a forensic evaluation.
Rybin’s death is part of a troubling pattern of mysterious deaths involving Russian media figures. Zoya Konovalova, chief editor of Russian state TV company Kuban, and Ilya Kyva, a former party leader in the Kyiv parliament, are among those who have recently passed away under suspicious circumstances.
Rybin, who initially endorsed Putin’s annexation of the Donbas region visited Mariupol and presented a critical report on air, showing the slow progress of reconstruction in the city. Despite acknowledging an increase in immigrants and substantial funds from Russia for reconstruction, he strongly denounced the widespread corruption.
According to the report, Rybin planned to reveal more details during a live broadcast on Rabkor, a left-wing online platform before never making it back to Moscow.
Rybin’s body was discovered on a highway near Shakhty, only 130 miles from Mariupol. Once a bustling city with over 400,000 residents, Mariupol had suffered extensive damage from Russia’s forces during Putin’s 2022 invasion, causing numerous casualties and leaving the city in ruins.
Although the autopsy declared ‘cardiomyopathy’ as the official cause of death, Rybin’s bank cards and valuables were left undisturbed. After fighting in the invaded Luhansk for pro-Putin forces, Rybin grew unhappy with the ‘Russian Spring’ and subsequently worked as a journalist for various Russian media outlets globally.
In his final report from Mariupol on December 30, Rybin voiced worry about the city’s persistent challenges, highlighting the substantial corruption and difficulties experienced by its residents.
Ukrainian media outlet Obozrevatel referenced Rybin’s comments, pointing out his observations on the aftermath of shelling and his indication of corruption within the construction sector.
The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for Rostov Region stated that no initial signs of criminal death were discovered on Rybin’s body. However, an official cause of death is pending a forensic evaluation.
Rybin’s death is part of a troubling pattern of mysterious deaths involving Russian media figures. Zoya Konovalova, chief editor of Russian state TV company Kuban, and Ilya Kyva, a former party leader in the Kyiv parliament, are among those who have recently passed away under suspicious circumstances.
