A key member of Vladimir Putin's team in the invasion against Ukraine has been found dead after falling from a high-rise window in an apartment building in St. Petersburg.
Russian defence official Marina Yankina, 58, is believed to have fallen over 160 feet and was discovered by passers by at the base of the apartment tower on Zamshina Street in St. Petersburg, on Wednesday (15 February).
Her personal belongings and documents were found on a balcony in the building, suggesting she fell from there.
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Initial investigations by Russian officials have said her death was likely suicide. The 58-year-old was also reportedly dealing with some health problems at the time of her death.
Russian news Telegram channel Mash reported that minutes before Yankina died she called her ex-husband and told him of her plans to take her own life. She also reportedly asked him to send police to the high rise apartment building where she lived.
The Russian Investigative Committee confirmed Yankina’s death and is leading the probe into her fatal fall.
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Within politics, Yankina was considered a key member of Putin's team in funding the war against Ukraine, which began in February last year.
She was also head of the financial support department of the Ministry of Defence for the Western Military District, which has been closely involved in the invasion since it began.
Prior to joining the Western Military District, Yankina worked in Russia's Federal Tax Service, and also served as deputy chairman of the Property Relations Committee of St. Petersburg.
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Yankina's death is one of the latest in a series of prominent Russian officials and figures who have died under mysterious circumstances since the start of the Russian and Ukrainian war last year.
Russian Ministry of the Interior Major General Vladimir Makarov was found dead in Moscow days before Yankina's death following alleged reports he had fallen into a 'deep depression' after he was sacked by Putin last month.
Last year Colonel Vadim Boiko was found dead in an apparent suicide with multiple gunshot wounds and shortly after Russian business tycoon Pavel Antov, who heavily criticised the war, fell to his death at a luxury hotel in India.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
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You can also call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 at the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline.
For UK readers, call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.
Niamh Spence