Grigory Nekhoroshev, a 69-year-old Russian journalist who first revealed Vladimir Putin's relationship with Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, has died suddenly in Riga, Latvia, from suspected mushroom poisoning. Nekhoroshev, who lived in exile as a political refugee for 11 years, passed away at his home after consuming mushrooms he collected from his yard. Despite being a mushroom aficionado, the fungi turned out to be poisonous.
Background of the Journalist
Nekhoroshev was editor-in-chief of the Russian newspaper Moskovsky Korrespondent, which in April 2008 reported that Putin planned to divorce his wife Lyudmila Putina and marry Kabaeva. The story led to the newspaper's closure by owner Alexander Lebedev, a former KGB spy turned banker. Nekhoroshev faced interrogation by secret services and threats, prompting him to leave Russia temporarily before returning and eventually seeking refuge in Latvia.
Reaction from Friends and Colleagues
Friends described Nekhoroshev as 'quite nervous' about potential assassination attempts by Putin's operatives. Igors Vatoļins, who saw him shortly before his death, called him 'a not-old, not-ill person, full of ideas and plans.' He added, 'Nekhoroshev was the first to reveal the name of Putin's common-law wife, rhythmic gymnastics champion Alina Kabaeva. Putin clearly did not forgive him for that.' Another Russian journalist in Latvia, Bozhena Rynska, called his loss 'incomprehensible'.
Putin's Response and Ongoing Relationship
At the time of the 2008 report, Putin responded by deploring 'those who with their snotty noses and erotic fantasies prowl into others' lives.' Both Putin and Kabaeva denied the relationship, though it is now known to be accurate. Putin, now 72, has never publicly acknowledged his relationship with Kabaeva, 43, but they are believed to have two children: Ivan, 11, and Vladimir, 7.
Pattern of Suspicious Deaths
While no hard evidence of foul play has emerged in Nekhoroshev's death, multiple Putin enemies have died in suspicious circumstances. Notable cases include investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya, shot in 2006; ex-FSB operative Alexander Litvinenko, poisoned with polonium-210 in London in 2006; oligarch Boris Berezovsky, found hanged in Britain in 2013; opposition politician Boris Nemtsov, shot near the Kremlin in 2015; former Putin ally Yevgeny Prigozhin, killed in a plane crash in 2023; and opposition leader Alexei Navalny, poisoned in prison in 2024. Last week, artist Semyon Skrepetsky, 44, known for portraying Putin as a bloodthirsty dictator, was shot dead in Poland.
