Russian opposition-linked politician Vlasenko found dead in Warsaw apartment

Polish authorities are investigating the death of Vlasenko, a politician associated with the Russian opposition, who was found dead in his Warsaw apartment. While initial findings do not indicate third-party involvement, a full autopsy and toxicology tests are scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, according to Warsaw District Prosecutor's Office spokesperson. Medical documents belonging to Vlasenko were discovered at the scene.

Information about Vlasenko is limited, and he was not a widely recognized dissident. He reportedly left Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and settled in Warsaw, where he was believed to be 71 years old. According to the independent Russian media outlet SOTA, Vlasenko served as a local deputy in Russia's Far East during the 1980s before relocating to the Black Sea resort city of Anapa.

After Russia's renewed invasion of Ukraine, Vlasenko joined the "Congress of People's Deputies," a body formed by former Russian political representatives aiming to establish a potential government-in-exile. He had been publicly accused of spreading false information about the Russian army. SOTA and other media reported that he traveled from Russia to Poland on a tourist visa, subsequently receiving political asylum. The "Congress of People's Deputies," established in Poland in 2022, is considered by Russian authorities to be led by former State Duma deputy Ilya Ponomarev, who has been convicted in absentia in Russia for spreading "fake news" and "justifying terrorism." Russian officials have declared the organization undesirable, effectively banning it. Vlasenko was also involved in the Russian Opposition Forum in support of Ukraine.