was found dead in a cottage near st. petersburg. now, again, these could all be unconnected individual cases of murder and suicide. both domestic violence, and suicide are unfortunately common things around the world. but these cases deserve a little bit of context. usa today put out an incredible report back in 2017 in which they documented 38 cases of prominent russians who had died suspiciously in the previous three years. they included ten high-profile critics of putin, seven diplomats, six associates of kremlin powerbrokers, 13 military or political leaders involved and the conflict over eastern ukraine, 12 were shot, stabbed, or beaten to death. six were blown up. one died of mysterious head injuries, one reportedly slipped and hit his head in a public bat, one was hanged in a jail cell, and one died after drinking coffee, and quote. the other 16 were reported as either natural causes, or unknown.
vladislav avayev could have been involved. now, these could absolutely be totally unconnected cases of men killing their families and than themselves. but what are the odds that two russian oligarchs with connections to the kremlin, and the oil industry, decide to kill themselves within 24 hours of each other? and what are the odds that four have since done so since putin invaded ukraine. the ukrainian board russian oligarch mikhail at watford who made a fortune in russian oil and gas in the 90s was found dead in his 20 million dollar mansion in england on february the 28. and on the day after russia invaded ukraine, february 25th, the financial director at russia s biggest oil company was found dead in a cottage near st. petersburg. now, again, these could all be unconnected individual cases of murder and suicide. both domestic violence, and suicide are unfortunately common things around the world. but these cases deserve a little bit of