Is it true that a Russian minister recently died?
Novichok
Why don’t you talk about the death of Pyotr Kucherenko?
absolutely
Piotr Koutcherenko, 46, Russia’s Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education, died on Saturday May 20 while on a plane bound for Moscow, returning from Cuba, accompanied by a Russian delegation. According to his ministry, quoted by CNN, “the plane landed in the town of Mineralnye Vody, where doctors tried to help (…) but the minister could not be saved”. According to the state broadcaster Zvezda, a forensic investigation is due today.
The Moscow Times quotes Russian freelance journalist Roman Super as saying he spoke to Pyotr Kucherenko, with whom he was close, a few days before the journalist decided last year to leave Russia over fears for his safety.
Roman Super posted their conversation on his Telegram account.
In his message, the journalist reiterated that Mr. Koutcherenko strongly advised him to leave the country: “Save your family and yourself.” Go as soon as possible. You cannot imagine the level of brutality in our state. In a year you will not recognize Russia at all. If you leave, you are doing the right thing. The minister is also said to have told Mr Super that in his opinion he could no longer leave Russia: “We’re taking our passports with us,” he said, before qualifying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “fascist invasion”.
In the same conversation, Mr. Koutcherenko reportedly told him that he was taking antidepressants and tranquilizers: “I take handfuls of them.” And that doesn’t help much. I hardly ever sleep. I feel terribly ill. We’re all being held hostage. Nobody can suck anything. Otherwise we will be crushed like aphids in an instant. »
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Tuesday he did not know the cause of Pyotr Kucherenko’s death.