January 15, 2026
Cyprus Police waiting for DNA test to confirm if body found on coast is that of missing Uralkali ex-CEO Vladislav Baumgertner
On Jan
TL;DR
- A body found in Cyprus is being tested to identify it as Vladislav Baumgertner, the former CEO of Uralkali, who went missing a week prior.
- The body was found in an advanced state of decomposition on Avdimou beach, with police treating it as a potential crime scene.
- An independent forensic expert from abroad was appointed to conduct the autopsy due to the high-profile nature of the case.
- Baumgertner was last heard from near Pissouri on January 8th, and the search focused on Cape Aspro where his phone signal was last detected.
- A Russian Embassy employee, identified as Anton Panov, was found dead in Nicosia on January 8th, with Cypriot police ruling the death a suicide by asphyxiation.
- A corruption scandal, dubbed 'Videogate,' broke on January 8th with the release of a video showing senior officials discussing corruption schemes and circumventing EU sanctions for Russians.
- The video's release coincided with Cyprus assuming the presidency of the Council of the EU, and the Cypriot government claims it is a Russian disinformation attack.
- It remains unclear if the three incidents are linked.