Mysterious Death of Russian Police Officer and Assassination Attempt on General

Unexplained Death of Colonel Sergei Shalaginov

A Russian police officer, Colonel Sergei Shalaginov, died under mysterious circumstances after falling from a building in Yekaterinburg. His death adds to a series of unexplained fatalities among high-ranking officials. Shalaginov was a former deputy head at the Sverdlovsk region’s Internal Affairs Ministry, tasked with fighting terrorism.

The local news source, E1, initially reported his death, but details remain unclear. Official accounts differ regarding Shalaginov’s recent resignation and his fall. While some Russian media claim it was suicide following disagreements at work, other reports deny such conflicts. Newsweek has sought comments from Sverdlovsk’s investigative committee.

Authorities like spokesperson Valery Gorelykh emphasized that Shalaginov had declined a job promotion but claimed his death was unrelated to his career. Local sources describe him as dedicated and competent. Images circulated show the scene outside a residential building on Shchorsa Street, lending a somber reality to his sudden death.

Attempted Assassination of Major General Nikolai Varpakhovich

Shortly after Shalaginov’s death, Major General Nikolai Varpakhovich suffered an assassination attempt. He was shot while in Probuzhdenie, near Engels, Saratov region. Reports indicate a gunman on a motorcycle shot him in the torso and face, leaving him in critical condition.

Varpakhovich had connections to a missile strike on a Ukrainian hospital in 2024. This attack on him marks the third assassination attempt on Russian military officers recently. While the Investigative Committee is handling the probe, they refrain from identifying Varpakhovich, instead referring to him as the target of attempted murder.

These incidents illustrate ongoing turmoil and deadly risks for Russian officials and military leaders. Newsweek remains actively seeking further insights from relevant authorities on both cases.