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List of Russian assassinations

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This is a list of people suspected or confirmed to have been assassinated by the government of the Russian Federation.[1][2] Some of the assassinations or targeted killings took place overseas.

1990s

More information Date, Place ...
Date Place Country Target Description Action Killer
April 21, 1996 Gekhi-Czu Chechen Republic of Ichkeria[a] Dzhokhar Dudayev First president of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria Killed by two laser-guided missile strikes on his car Russian Air Force
July 3, 1998 Klokovo, Moscow Oblast Russia Lev Rokhlin Russian politician, formerly a military figure during the First Chechen War, founder of the anti-government Movement in Support of the Army Shot dead in his sleep[3] FSB (claimed by Alexander Litvinenko[4]; disputed)
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2000s

More information Date, Place ...
Date Place Country Target Description Action Killer
May 17, 2000 Shali, Chechnya Russia Ruslan Alikhadzhiyev Fourth chairman of the Ichkerian Parliament Abducted and executed FSB (per European Court of Human Rights[5][6]; denied by Russia[7])
June 22, 2001 Alkhan-Kala, Chechnya Russia Arbi Barayev Founder of the Special Purpose Islamic Regiment Killed in a targeted mopping operation (per the official Russian report[8])

Captured in the operation, later tortured and executed (per Kavkaz Center[9])

 FSB; VV MVD (per the official Russian report[10])

GRU (per Kavkaz Center[9])

March 20, 2002 Chechnya Russia Ibn al-Khattab Prominent Saudi militant and founder of the Emir of the Mujahideen in Chechnya Killed via letter poisoned by a nerve agent FSB
June 27, 2002 Mesker-Yurt, Chechnya Russia Rizvan Akhmadov Commander of the Central Front of the Ichkerian during the Second Chechen War Ambushed while leaving his house[11] Chechen militsiya; VV MVD
August 26, 2002 Shali, Chechnya Russia Aslambek Abdulkhadzhiev Shamil Basayev's deputy and one of the coordinators of Budyonnovsk hospital hostage crisis Killed by his own grenade in a raid that targeted an alleged meeting of high-profile Ichkerian commanders[12] Chechen militsiya; VV MVD
c. September 14, 2002 Chechen–Aul, Chechnya Russia Zelimkhan Akhmadov Commander of the Grozny and Urus-Martan fronts of Ichkerian forces during the Second Chechen War Killed by a car bomb[13] Chechen OMON[13]
April 17, 2003 Moscow Russia Sergei Yushenkov Russian politician and investigator. Head of the Liberal Russia party Shot dead near his house FSB (per Litvinenko; denied by the Russian Supreme Court)
July 3, 2003 Moscow Russia Yuri Shchekochikhin Soviet and Russian politician, writer and investigative journalist Illness, allegedly poisoned by radioactive materials FSB (per Novaya Gazeta and others[b]; denied by the Russian Investigative Committee[16])
February 14, 2004 Doha Qatar Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev Second President, prime minister and vice president of Ichkeria Fatally wounded by a car bomb GRU (per Qatar; denied by Russia)
September 24, 2004 Saint Petersburg Russia Roman Tsepov Russian oligarch and former bodyguard of Vladimir Putin Illness, allegedly poisoned by radioactive materials[17] Unknown[c]
February 16, 2005 Kantyshevo, Ingushetia Russia Abu Omar al-Kuwaiti Kuwaiti al-Qaeda representative to Ingushetia. Took part in organization of the Mozdok truck bombing, 2004 Nazran raid and Beslan terror attack Blown by grenade or explosive belt in a targeted raid on his bunker FSB
March 8, 2005 Tolstoy-Yurt, Chechnya Russia Aslan Maskhadov Third president and prime minister of Ichkeria, first chief of staff of Ichkerian forces Shot dead in a raid on his hideout
March 23, 2005 Shali, Chechnya Russia Rizvan Chitigov Commander of the Shali front of Ichkerian forces during the Second Chechen War and former US marine. Took part in the Budyonnovsk hospital hostage crisis and Russian apartment bombings Killed in a targeted raid VV MVD
July 10, 2006 Ekazhevo, Ingushetia Russia Shamil Basayev Generalissimo and sixth prime minister of Ichkeria. Mastermind of numerous terror attacks inside Russia during both Chechen wars[d] Killed during an arms deal by a truck bomb that was remotely detonated by Russian agents FSB
Ovtober 7, 2006 Moscow Russia Anna Politkovskaya Russian investigative journalist, writer and human rights activist known for her reports regarding the Second Chechen War Shot dead in the elevator of her apartment block FSB (alleged; denied by Russia)
November 18, 2006 Moscow Russia Movladi Baisarov Chechen FSB colonel and "Gorets" detachment chief Gunned down while exiting his car Chechen VV MVD[18]
November 23, 2006 London United Kingdom Alexander Litvinenko FSB defector and writer Died of illness after being poisoned with polonium-210 FSB (alleged; denied by Russia)
November 26, 2006 Serzhen'-Yurt, Chechnya Russia Abu Hafs al-Urduni Third emir of the Chechen Mujahideen Killed in a targeted raid on a private residence FSB
September 17, 2007 Buynaksk, Dagestan Russia Rappani Khalilov; Nabi Nabiyev Khalilov was the second emir of Shariat Jamaat; Nabiyev was his deputy[19] VV MVD; FSB
August 31, 2008 Nazran, Ingushetia Russia Magomed Yevloyev Ingush journalist, human rights activist and businessman Accidentally shot dead (per MVD[20])

Political killing (per Russian opposition[21])

 Militsiya
September 6, 2008 Istanbul Turkey Gaji Edilsultanov[22] Former Ichkerian field commander with a rank of colonel[23] Shot dead[24] FSB (per Turkey[25])
September 24, 2008 Moscow Russia Ruslan Yamadayev Former Ichkerian warlord and later a colonel within Russian Armed Forces. Hero of the Russian Federation Shot ten times while sitting in a car owned by his brother Sulim Kadyrovites (per Sulim Yamadayev[26]; denied by Ramzan Kadyrov[27])
December 9, 2008 Istanbul Turkey Islam Janibekov Former Ichkerian field commander Shot three times in front of his wife and children[24] FSB (per Turkey[25])
January 13, 2009 Vienna Austria Umar Israilov Former bodyguard of Ramzan Kadyrov and later a vocal critic of his government Shot dead near a supermarket Kadyrovites (alleged by Austria[28][29])
February 26, 2009 Istanbul Turkey Musa Atayev (Ali Osayev) Istanbul represen­tative of the Caucasus Emirate Shot in the head three times near his house[24] FSB (per Turkey[25])
March 28, 2009 Dubai United Arab Emirates Sulim Yamadayev Former Ichkerian warlord, later Vostok Battalion founder and commander. Hero of the Russian Federation Shot in the back of the neck in an underground garage Kadyrovites (per UAE; denied by Adam Delimkhanov[30])
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2010s

More information Date, Place ...
Date Place Country Target Description Action Killer
March 2, 2010 Ekazhevo, Ingushetia Russia Said Buryatsky Leader of the Riyad-us Saliheen under the Caucasus Emirate. Organized several terrorist attacks in Russia Killed in a targeted raid on his residence[31] VV MVD; FSB
June 8, 2010 Vedeno, Checnya Russia Yassir al-Sudani Senior African militant allegedly involved in numerous attacks on Russian and local forces Killed in a targeted raid in Vedeno forest[32]
August 21, 2010 Gunib, Dagestan Russia Magomed Vagabov; Rustam Munkiev[33] Vagabov was the eighth emir of the Vilayat Dagestan, mastermind of the 2010 Moscow Metro bombings; Munkiev was the emir of Khasavyurtovsky District of Dagestan Killed in a targeted raid on his apartment[34][33] FSB[33]
March 28, 2011 Ingushetia Russia Supyan Abdullayev Seventh and last vice president of Ichkeria, close ally of Dokka Umarov Killed in an airstrike on his camp[35] Russian Air Force[36]
April 11, 2011 Serzhen'-Yurt, Chechnya Russia Muhannad Jordanian militant and the fourth emir of the Arab mujahideen Killed in a targeted raid in Serzhen'-Yurt forest[37] VV MVD[38]
September 16, 2011 Istanbul Turkey Berg-Hadj Musayev; Zaurbek Amriyev; Rustam Altemirov Chechen separatist militants accused of commiting the Domodedovo International Airport bombing. Shot dead[39] FSB (per Turkey[40])
November 11, 2012 London United Kingdom Alexander Perepilichny Russian businessman and whistleblower Died while jogging after allegedly being poisoned GRU (allegedly[41]; denied by Russia[42])
September 7, 2013 Sunzhensky District, Ingushetia Russia Dokka Umarov Last president of Ichkeria and Caucasus Emirate founder Died after being poisoned[43] FSB[43]
December 10, 2014 Istanbul Turkey Abdullah Bukhari Uzbek religious figure and dissident Died of wounds after being shot in the back[39] FSB (per Turkey[40])
May 24, 2014 Sagopshi, Ingushetia Russia Arthur Getagazhev Eight emir of Vilayat Galgayche Killed in a raid on a private residence[44] FSB
January 1, 2015 Lutuhyne Luhansk People's Republic[e] Alexander Bednov Founder and commander of the Rapid Response Group "Batman". Second LPR Defence Minister Shot dead in an attack on his military convoy Wagner Group under Russian government orders (allegedly[45] )
January 23, 2015 Pervomaisk Luhansk People's Republic[e] Yevgeny Ishchenko [uk] LPR installed commandant of Pervomaisk Shot dead in an attack on his car Wagner Group under Russian government orders (allegedly[45])
April 19, 2015 Gerei-Avlak, Dagestan Russia Aliaskhab Kebekov; Shamil Gadzhiev Kebekov was the second emir of the Caucasus Emirate; Gadzhiev was the emir of the Untsukulsky District of Dagestan Killed in a raid on a private residence[46] VV MVD; FSB
May 23, 2015 near Mykhailivka, Alchevsk Raion Luhansk People's Republic[e] Aleksey Mozgovoy; Anna Samelyuk Mozgovoy was the founder and commander of the Prizrak Brigade; Samelyuk was his press secretary Shot dead in the attack on Mozgovoy's car Wagner Group under Russian government orders (allegedly[45]) or GRU (per Igor Girkin[47])

SBU (per Ukrainska Pravda[48])

August 11, 2015 Gimry, Dagestan Russia Magomed Suleimanov; Kamil Sayidov Suleimanov was the third emir of the Caucasus Emirate; Sayidov was his deputy and fourteenth emir of Vilayat Dagestan Killed in a raid near Gimry[49] FSB
November 1, 2015 Istanbul Turkey Abdulvahid Edelgiriev [ru] Istanbul represen­tative of Vilayat Nokhchicho. Former fighter of the Caucasus Emirate, Liwa al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar and Chechen volunteers in Ukraine Shot, then stabbed to death[39] FSB (per Turkey[50])
December 12, 2015 Pervomaisk Luhansk People's Republic[e] Pavel Dremov [ru] Founder and commander of the 6th Separate Cossack Motor Rifle Brigade. Commandant of Kadiivka and Sievierodonetsk Killed by a car bomb Wagner Group under Russian government orders (allegedly[45])
May 11, 2016 Kocaeli Province Turkey Ruslan Israpilov Former Ichkerian militant, ally of Shamil Basayev and brother of Khunkar-Pasha Israpilov Shot in the head, neck and heart[39] FSB (per Turkey[51])
December 3, 2016 near Makhachkala, Dagestan Russia Rustam Asildarov First and only wali of the Islamic State's Caucasus Province and thirteenth emir of Vilayat Dagestan Killed in a raid on a private residence VV MVD; FSB
March 31, 2017 Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast Ukraine Oleksandr Kharaberiush [uk] Ukrainian colonel. Deputy chief of the Main Counterintelligence Derictorate of the Security Service of Ukraine branch in Donetsk Oblast Killed by a car bomb Ministry of State Security of DPR under Russian orders[52]
June 27, 2017 Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast Ukraine Yuri Vozny [uk]; Dmitro Piddyachny; Andriy Mykhaylenko Col. Vozny was a department chief in the SBU Main Counterintelligence Derictorate; Sr. Lt. Piddyachny and Lt. Mykhaylenko were SBU operatives Killed by a car bomb FSB (per Ukraine[53])
Kyiv Ukraine Maksym Shapoval Commander of the 10th Special Purpose Detachment of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine
September 8, 2017 Kyiv Ukraine Ali Timaiev [uk] Veteran of both Chechen, Russo-Georgian and Donbass wars. Aleeged assassin of Shamil Basayev Killed by a car bomb FSB or Kadyrovites (allegedly[54][55])
October 25, 2017 Kyiv Ukraine Mykhailo Mormil; Ruslan Kushnir Mormil was a retired police lieutenant colonel. Kushnir was a police senior sergeant and a bodyguard of Ihor Mosiychuk Killed by a motorcycle bomb that was supposedly made to assassinate Mosiychuk. Kadyrovites (allegedly[56])
October 30, 2017 Hlevakha, Kyiv Oblast Ukraine Amina Okueva Ukrainian police officer and wife of Adam Osmayev Shot dead in the attack on her and her husband's car Kadyrovites (per Ukraine[56])
August 23, 2019 Berlin Germany Zelimkhan Khangoshvili Former Ichkerian field commander and Georgian military officer. Veteran of the Second Chechen war and Russo-Georgian war Shot twice in the head by an undercover FSB officer FSB
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2020s

More information Date, Place ...
Date Place Country Target Description Action Killer
January 30, 2020 Lille France Imran Aliyev Chechen blogger and dissident. Vocal critic of Ramzan Kadyrov Stabbed to death Kadyrovites (allegedly[57])
July 4, 2020 Vienna Austria Mamikhan Umarov [ru] Chechen blogger and dissident. Vocal critic of Ramzan Kadyrov Shot in the head Kadyrovites (allegedly[56]; denied[58] by Kadyrov)
August 23, 2023 Kuzhenkino, Tver Oblast Russia Yevgeny Prigozhin; Dmitry Utkin; Valery Chekalov; Sergey Prospustin; Evgeny Makaryan; Alexander Totmin; Nikolai Matuseev Prigozhin was a Russian oligarch and co-founder of Wagner Group; Utkin was a retired spetsnaz officer and co-founder of Wagner Group; Chekalov was Wagner Group's head of logistics; Prospustin, Makaryan, Totmin, Matuseev were Prigozhin's associates and Wagner Group veterans Plane crash Unknown (allegedly orchestraited by Nikolai Patrushev[59])
February 13, 2024 Villajoyosa Spain Maxim Kuzminov Russian Air Force defector. Main target of the Operation Synytsia Shot six times then ran over by a car SVR (allegedly[60])
March 15, 2024 Odessa Ukraine Oleksandr Hostishchev; Sergiy Tetyukhin Hostishchev was Tsunami Regiment commander; Sergiy Tetyukhin was former First Deputy Mayor of Odesa Killed in a targeted[61] aistrike during a broader attack on the city Russian Armed Forces[62][63]
December 14, 2024 Dnipro Ukraine Unnamed soldier TCR and SS employee Killed by explosives planted near military checkpoint FSB (per Ukraine[64])
January 20, 2025 Odesa Ukraine Unnamed 54 year old man Local entrepreneur and volunteer Killed by explosives after being lured to his car FSB (per Ukraine[65])
March 14, 2025 Odesa Ukraine Demyan Hanul Ukrainian political activist, blogger and former soldier. Participant of Revolution of Dignity and the 2014 Odesa clashes Shot in the head twice[66] Ukrainian deserter under Russian orders (per Ukraine[67])
April 4, 2025 Dnipro Ukraine Yuriy Fedko Head of the Left Bank Administration of the Dnipro City Council Killed by a car bomb Russian intelligence (disputed[68])
June 12, 2025 near Kyiv Ukraine Demetre Darchia Soldier in the Georgian Legion Killed by an explosive device that blew up in his hands[69] Russian intelligence (per Georgian Legion[70])
June 10, 2025 Holosiivskyi District, Kyiv Ukraine Ivan Voronych SBU colonel Shot dead[71] FSB (per Ukraine[48])

The Base (self-claim; disputed[72])

August 30, 2025 Sykhivskyi District, Lviv Ukraine Andriy Parubiy Ukrainian politician, thirteenth chairman of the Verkhovna Rada and tenth secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Shot dead[73] Russian intelligence (per Ukraine[74])
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