Top Putin official dies in mysterious circumstances - and her death could leave Russia short of money in war efforts

A key figure in the funding of Vladimir Putin's illegal war in Ukraine was discovered dead by a passer by in the latest mysterious death of a high-ranking Kremlim.

Marina Yankina was found dead after plunging 160ft from a tower block on Zamshina Street, St Petersburg in an apparent suicide.

The 58-year-old was head of the financial support department of the Ministry of Defence for the Western Military District, which is closely involved in Putin’s invasion.

She had been instrumental in the role at securing funds for the country's war on Ukraine.

Yankina in the latest in a string of Russian officials who have died mysteriously
SPUTNIK

A preliminary investigation concluded that Yankina fell from a 16th floor apartment window after phoning her ex-husband and telling him she planned to kill herself.

Mash, a Russian news channel on messaging site Telegram, said she asked him to call police to her address.

Yankina was said to have been struggling with health problems as an investigation into her death continues.

She is the latest in a strong of Russian officials to have died in mysterious circumstances following the Russian war.

Last week, a Russian general who was recently fired by Putin shot himself in the head.

Vladimir Makarov, 72, was found by his wife with gunshot wounds just weeks after he was sacked by the Russian president in late January.

On December 26, Pavel Antonov - the richest deputy of the Russian Duma (Russia's parliament) and Putin critic - died in India after falling out of a hotel window.

Last summer, retired Federal Security Service Major General Yevgeny Lobachev and Foreign Intelligence Service Major General Lev Sotskov were found dead in two suspected suicides.

Before joining the Western Military region, Yankina previously worked in the Federal Tax Service, and as deputy chairman of the Property Relations Committee of St Petersburg.

Putin invaded Ukraine almost a year ago
REUTERS TV

Media outlet Mash on Moika said: “Shortly before the fall, the deceased employee of the financial sector of the Western Military District called her ex-husband.

“She told him about what she was going to do and where she would leave things - and also asked to call the police. A few minutes after the call, she was found dead.

“According to our information, the husband lived in the block from the balcony of which the fall occurred.

“The motives continue to be clarified - according to the latest data, the woman had health problems.”

There is currently no independent confirmation of this version of her cause of death.