Фото: Russian Embassy in Cyprus
On 8 January 2026, Russian Embassy staff member A.V. Panov passed away. The announcement appeared on the social media accounts of the Russian diplomatic mission in Cyprus.
“His death is a deeply personal tragedy for his family and loved ones. All necessary assistance and support have been provided to the bereaved family. In coordination with the competent Cypriot authorities, the Embassy is working on the prompt repatriation of his body to Russia,” the statement said.
According to Cypriot media, a senior representative of the Russian Embassy in Nicosia was found dead in his office around noon on Thursday, 8 January 2026. It was reported that authorities were informed only several hours later.
When police officers arrived at the embassy, they were not allowed to enter the building. The body of the Russian diplomat was later handed over to the police in the embassy’s inner courtyard. Law enforcement officers were not permitted to conduct an on-site inspection.
The Russian Embassy informed Cypriot authorities that the death resulted from suicide. It was also reported that the Russian ambassador allegedly left a letter which, according to the embassy, would be sent directly to Moscow and not provided to the Cypriot side.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus was notified of the incident, and the security services of the Republic of Cyprus are closely monitoring developments. A forensic examination is scheduled for Monday morning and is expected to shed more light on the cause of death.
At the same time, Cypriot authorities are investigating the disappearance of Russian businessman Vladislav Baumgertner, who went missing in Limassol on 7 January — one day before the diplomat’s body was discovered at the Russian Embassy.
Baumgertner, 56, former head of Uralkali, has not yet been found despite large-scale search operations. The last signal from his mobile phone was recorded in a remote coastal area, and adverse weather conditions are complicating the search efforts.