Caucasian mafia head Yanis Yushayev killed in shooting at Caesarea gas station

Yanis Yushayev, identified as the head of the Caucasian mafia, was shot dead outside a gas station in Caesarea on Sunday. The incident was captured on video, showing a suspected assailant approaching Yushayev from behind and fatally shooting him in the head at close range.

Following the shooting, Yushayev collapsed and was transported to the hospital in critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead. A significant police presence, including Coastal District officers, was dispatched to the scene to gather evidence and initiate an investigation. A helicopter was also deployed as part of the search for the suspected killer, who remains unidentified.

Authorities are examining Yushayev's suspected ties to organized crime. Police and crime figures in the Hadera and Or Akiva areas suggest Yushayev cultivated a network involving prominent local criminals, including Patrick Krasnopolsky, described as his confidant and "right-hand man," and Osher Shmilov. Yushayev and Krasnopolsky were previously arrested in June 2025 on suspicion of involvement in shootings and grenade attacks on businesses but were released without charges.

Further complicating the criminal landscape, Krasnopolsky and Shmilov were arrested again in March 2026 for allegedly attempting to assassinate a rival. Police assessments indicate Yushayev also maintained a significant alliance with Eli and Matan Arbiv, believed to control organized crime operations in the Hadera region, with the groups reportedly operating as a joint criminal enterprise across several areas.