STAVROPOL, Russia – A decorated Russian general who publicly criticized President Vladimir Putin for the state of the country’s air force has died under unusual circumstances alongside his wife.
Lt. Gen. Vladimir Sviridov, 68, was found deceased in his home in the village of Adzhievsky in the Stavropol region. His 72-year-old wife, Tatiana, was also found dead. The couple had been deceased for approximately a week before they were discovered, according to local reports.
No signs of violence were observed at the scene. It is suspected that the couple may have died in their sleep as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning, caused by a malfunctioning gas valve during a power outage in the village about a week prior. Authorities are still investigating the Sviridovs’ deaths.
Sviridov, who was relieved of his commanding post over a decade ago, had been critical of the Russian air force, lamenting the lack of training for pilots. He was quoted as saying, “We are forced to appoint not fully trained officers because there are no better ones. For the same reason we are sending third-rate pilots to military academies.”
The Investigative Committee of Russia is looking into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the couple.
There have been a series of suspicious deaths among Putin’s critics since the war in Ukraine began. Sviridov’s death, like others, has revived concerns about the safety of those who openly oppose the country’s leadership.
General Sviridov’s unexpected death has raised questions and caused speculation about the circumstances surrounding the demise of a senior military figure in Russia. The Investigative Committee’s report following their inquiries into the couple’s deaths will be highly anticipated by the public in the coming weeks.