MIAMI, United States. – As reported by media around the world, Russian Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Pyotr Kucherenko, died last saturday during his return flight from a business trip to Cuba. The 46-year-old Russian official felt unwell during the Havana-Mosu flight, and although the aircraft made an emergency landing in the city of Mineralnye Vody, medical efforts were insufficient to save his life.
Kucherenko felt unwell while on a plane with a Russian delegation returning from a business trip to Cuba. The plane landed in the town of Mineralnye Vody, where the doctors tried to assist,” the Ministry reported in a statement posted on its website.
His family have suggested that the cause of death may have been a heart condition, although official confirmation is pending an autopsy to be performed on Wednesday.
The journalist Roman Super, who fled Russia shortly after the invasion of Ukraine last February, revealed on his Telegram channel that he had spoken with Kucherenko days before his flight. According to Super, Kucherenko feared for his safety and encouraged him to leave Russia. “Save yourself and your family. Leave as soon as possible. You cannot imagine the degree of brutalization of our State. In a year you will not recognize Russia at all. By leaving you are doing the right thing,” Kucherenko told Super, according to CNN.
Super also shared that Kucherenko had been taking large amounts of antidepressants and tranquilizers. He said, quoting the minister: “I take them by the handful. And it doesn’t help much. I hardly sleep. I feel terrible. We are all kidnapped. Nobody can say anything. Otherwise, we are immediately squashed like insects.”
Kucherenko’s case is not an isolated event. In the past year, at least 13 prominent Russian businessmen have died by suicide or in unexplained accidents. Among them are six associated with the two largest energy companies in Russia.
These bizarre developments take place against a background in which senior Russian officials in the Kremlin and in the regions are reportedly prohibited from leaving their posts. Apparently, even several governors, officials of the security forces and people from the presidential administration have tried to resign, but have not been allowed.
Kucherenko’s death adds another layer of mystery to the growing list of deaths among Russia’s elite. Not even the autopsy results, which could be tampered with by the Russian regime, will clear up the puzzle.
