Russian minister, 46, becomes the latest senior figure to die mysteriously during the war in Ukraine

Russia’s deputy science minister, reportedly a private critic of the “fascist” invasion of Ukraine, has died suddenly, aged just 46, after falling seriously ill on a flight to Moscow on Saturday.

Pyotr Kucherenko was returning from a business trip to Cuba when the flight was forced to make an emergency landing in southern Russia, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education confirmed yesterday.

Arriving doctors performed CPR, but were unable to save the official. His family said the death was linked to an underlying heart condition, but the body is expected to undergo an autopsy on May 24.

Independent journalist Roman Super wrote after the announcement that his “old friend” had previously spoken privately about his inability to flee Russia after what he called the “fascist invasion” of Ukraine.

The official is survived by his wife, the Georgian Eurovision talent Diana Gurtskaya, and their 15-year-old son.

Kucherenko’s is the latest death of a high-profile Russian since the invasion of Ukraine. Last month, energy boss Igor Shkurko was found dead in his jail cell after being accused of taking bribes.

The blind professional singer from Georgia, Diana Gurtskaya, is pictured with her husband

Vladimir Putin attends a meeting of the Council on Interethnic Relations in Pyatigorsk, May 19

Roman topper said on Telegram that he had spoken with Kucherenko a few days before leaving Russia for security reasons in the aftermath of last year’s invasion.

It is not clear when the two would have spoken to each other exactly.

The pair reportedly talked about plans to leave Russia and their frustrations over the invasion of Ukraine.

Super claimed that the minister told him to leave and save his family. He said ‘in a year you won’t recognize Russia at all.

You go and do what’s right.’

Asked if he intended to leave himself, Kucherenko is said to have said: “It is no longer possible to do so. They take our passports. And there is no world in which the deputy Russian minister will be happy after this fascist invasion.’

When asked how he was doing in Russia, the official is said to have said: ‘I take antidepressants and tranquilizers at the same time. hands full. And it doesn’t help much… no one can say anything. Instantly crushed like aphids.”

Kucherenko’s cause of death has not yet been determined.

Health authorities in Starvopol, in southwestern Russia, reported after the emergency landing that a passenger had fallen ill on the plane from Havana to Moscow.

The plane landed at the airport in Mineralnye Vody, where an ambulance met them.

Doctors boarded the plane and performed CPR. Despite the doctors “having done everything to save the patient… unfortunately he passed away,” a press release said read.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Chernyshenko and the Deputy Director of the Latin American Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andrei Guskov were also Reportedly on board the flight.

Since the outbreak of war, a number of officials and oligarchs have died young under mysterious circumstances.

At the end of last year, the trend became so well known that The Atlantic dubbed the Sudden Russian Death Syndrome.

More than two dozen prominent Russians have been killed since the war began.

Last month, top energy boss Igor Shkurko was found dead in his prison cell after being accused of taking bribes.

The 49-year-old was deputy general manager of Russian energy company Yakutskenergo.

He was a member of the pro-Putin United Russia political party, but his membership was suspended when allegations of bribery were made.

Just two months earlier, Russian oil magnate Viatcheslav Rovneiko, 59, was found ‘unconscious’ in his home late at night.

According to a report by the newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets, doctors could not save him from death.

Kucherenko (right) is pictured with his wife, professional singer Diana Gurtskaya

Diana Gurtskaya (C) performs at the semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade, May 22, 2008

Kucherenko was married to the professional singer Diana Gurtskayafamous in the countries of the former Soviet Union.

Gurtskaya, 44, became Georgia’s second-ever representative at the Eurovision Song Contest when she performed in 2008.

Born with a visual impairment, she has been involved in a range of charitable work improving inclusive practices in Russia.

In 2013, she was appointed to the Commission under the President of the Russian Federation on People with Disabilities.

Last year she was awarded ‘People’s Artist of the Russian Federation’, the highest title awarded to Russian citizens.

She and Kucherenko have a 15-year-old son, Konstantin.