A body thought to be a missing oligarch had been found in British-controlled territory in Cyprus.
Russian reports claimed the deceased oligarch had gone rock climbing—a claim that was countered by the family of the oligarch, saying that the oligarch had no interests in mountaineering.
Reports say that an autopsy by a UK coroner was expected to be executed shortly on the decomposed remains thought to be that of 53-year-old multimillionaire Vladislav Baumgertner.
A prominent Russian businessman, Vladislav Baumgertner (53), had been missing for more than a week. His family feared for his life.
Family relatives challenged widespread reports, believed to have been initiated from Russia, that Baumgartner had gone rock climbing before he had vanished.
The family added that Baumgartner had left his luxury home in Limassol for an intended business meeting, carrying with him only his work phone. That’s when he went missing.
According to Telegram reports, the found corpse had undergone decomposition due to its severe mutilation.
Channel VChK-OGPU said that the body of Baumgertner was discovered after relatives had hired professional mountain climbers to scour the area around the oligarch’s last phone signal.
The family added that Baumgartner had no interest in mountaineering. Also, he had not planned any outdoor activity on the day he disappeared.
The news of Baumgartner’s demise surfaced 2 days after reports emerged that a Russian diplomat found dead in Cyprus was a GRU spy who had intentions to defect.
On 8 January 2026, authorities found Anton Panov, 47, hanged in the Nicosia Russian embassy, where he reportedly had worked as a captain for the GRU.
Panov was found dead the day after Baumgartner went missing. The incidents sparked rumors of a Hollywood thriller-style plot on the island.
The two incidents occur during a period of heightened tensions between Nicosia and the Kremlin.
Cypriot officials claim that they have been the victim of an organized hybrid attack by Russia. This was after the release of a video purportedly reflecting government corruption.
The Russian official’s death was reported as a suicide by hanging, according to an unofficial autopsy.
