Russian major dies in explosive rendezvous in Stavropol
Zaur Gurzijew, a Russian major implicated in the bombing of Mariupol, died under mysterious circumstances in an explosion in Stavropol. Alongside him, a man he arranged to meet through a dating site also perished.
What do you need to know?
- Zaur Gurzijew, a Russian major who led attacks on Mariupol in 2022, died as the result of an explosion in Stavropol.
- Nikita Penkow, the man Gurzijew met, also died. They met through a dating site.
- An investigation is underway into a double murder and the illegal possession of explosives.
What are the reports from Russian sources?
Gurzijew's death was reported by the Russian website "Time of Heroes," which offered condolences to his family. Major Zaur Aleksandrovich Gurzijew had participated in the first edition of this television programme. He was also the first deputy mayor of the city of Stavropol. The portal notes that Gurzijew "commanded the aerial part of the operation to liberate Mariupol," which involved the severe bombings in the city and the siege of the Azov base. For the loss of many lives, he was awarded the Order of Courage and the Order of Military Merit, among other medals from Putin.
The Russian officer died due to an explosion in Stavropol, where he had previously arranged to meet Nikita Penkow through a dating site. The two had exchanged photos.
According to "Bild," this meeting might have had a dual purpose. The 34-year-old major might have been deliberately lured by Penkow to become the target of an assassination. The German newspaper speculates it may have been a so-called "honnigfalle." In the terminology of German services, it is a method whereby agents gain access to targets by forming a romantic bond. During the meeting, Penkow was purportedly recording Gurzijew with a device that contained an explosive.
Was Penkow aware of the danger?
It remains unclear whether Nikita Penkow knew about the explosive. Russian media suggest that he might have been part of a larger plot. Penkow, a former policeman, lived near the scene. Investigators did not find bomb-making materials in his flat.
What do the authorities say?
The governor of Stavropol, Vladimir Vladimirov, confirmed that the bodies of both men showed typical signs of an explosion. Authorities suspect that "Nazis from Ukraine" might be behind the attack. The investigation is ongoing, and no details have been officially confirmed.
Source: vremiagierow.ru, "Bild"
