The body of Russian war journalist Alexander Rybin, 39, was discovered near Shakhty in Russia’s Rostov region. His death comes after he visited the city of Mariupol in Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in 2022. Rybin, who had previously supported Putin’s annexation of the Donbas region of Ukraine, had been critical of the slow rebuilding process in Mariupol following its capture by Russian forces.
Mariupol, a city once home to over 400,000 people, was devastated by Russia’s forces during the 2022 invasion, leading to shocking incidents and thousands of deaths. The city now lies mostly in ruins, with the majority of its former residents displaced. Prior to his death, Rybin had vowed to reveal further details of the alleged corruption he witnessed in Mariupol during a live broadcast.
Rybin’s body was found with no signs of criminal death, according to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for Rostov Region. An autopsy cited ‘cardiomyopathy’ as the cause of death, as reported by Russian state media. The journalist had traveled extensively throughout his career, reporting in conflict zones and working for various Russian media outlets.
His death is the latest in a series of mysterious fatalities among Russian media figures, prompting speculation and concern amid the Kremlin’s crackdown on dissenting voices. Rybin’s death echoes a pattern of similar occurrences among Russian journalists and media figures, indicating a concerning trend in the country’s media landscape.