KRASNODAR, Russia – Zoya Konovalova, the editor-in-chief of a state television channel under Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been found dead in her home in the Krasnodar region, along with her ex-husband. Authorities suspect the cause of death to be poisoning, making it the latest in a series of mysterious deaths involving prominent Russian figures since Putin’s forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
The 48-year-old Konovalova was the head of the Internet group at the State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company Kuban, according to a statement released by the TV channel. No visible injuries were found on their bodies, and they are survived by their 15-year-old daughter and son.
Konovalova, who was born in Murmansk, worked in Moscow before relocating to the Krasnodar Territory in 2003. She had been leading the digital editorial office of the State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company Kuban for the past year. The Investigative Committee’s Krasnodar department has initiated an investigation into her death.
This tragic news comes in the wake of other deaths of Russian journalists and prominent figures in recent months. Alexander Rybin, a journalist, was found dead in the Rostov region, near the Ukrainian border. Another journalist, Anna Tsareva, also passed away in a separate incident in Moscow. The circumstances surrounding their deaths remain unclear.
The series of deaths of prominent figures in Russia has raised concerns and prompted investigations by authorities. It is unclear whether there is any connection between the deaths, and investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of these tragedies.
The deaths of Konovalova and the other individuals have highlighted the dangers faced by journalists and public figures in Russia, and have sparked questions about their safety and the circumstances surrounding their untimely deaths. As the investigations continue, the public and the international community await further developments to shed light on these tragic events.