A staffer at the Russian Embassy in Nicosia died by apparent suicide after the equally mysterious disappearance of former Uralkali CEO Vladislav Baumgertner. Local police were not allowed to conduct an investigation.
The diplomat, believed to have died by suicide, was Third Secretary Alexey Panov, according to Cyprus’ diplomatic list. Russian outlet Echo, citing a researcher on Russian influence abroad, claims Panov was a GRU officer with the rank of captain.
Dmitry Khmelnitsky, author of “Russian Agents of Influence in Germany” and investigations into intelligence activity in Cyprus, said that according to his sources, the 41-year-old Panov previously worked in Moscow at an institute linked to radio engineering, where his wife may also have worked. His duties at the embassy included “servicing spy equipment in the embassy and presumably beyond it.”
He noted that while the Russian mission said Panov died on January 8, the embassy disclosed the death only on January 12, refused to admit Cypriot police to the compound and did not hand over a purported suicide note left by Panov.
“If the suicide had personal causes, it’s unclear why his death was concealed for so long. That means there was something that put them in a difficult position, and there were four days of negotiations with Moscow. I do not rule out that he may have been preparing to flee, which was uncovered and ‘prevented,’ which is absolutely normal for Soviet and Russian special services,” Khmelnitsky said.
He added that Russian embassies worldwide have long also served as intelligence centers, and now, with Russian diplomacy “reduced to an absolute minimum,” espionage is “almost the only thing they do.”
Khmelnitsky said Russian spies are still active in Cyprus: “There are eight counselors alone—colonel-level positions - at the Russian embassy in Cyprus, not to mention first, second and third secretaries.”
He also said he has no information about the unexplained disappearance in Cyprus of former Uralkali chief Vladislav Baumgertner a day before Panov’s death, or any possible connection between the two events.
Russian authorities have not named a cause of death for Panov. In a statement that listed only his initials and no job title, the embassy said his death was “a deeply personal tragedy for his family and friends.” There is no public information about Panov online.
