23-year-old Nikita Lyubimov from the village of Murzakovo, Morgaushsky district, who fought as part of the Wagner PMC, returned to his homeland from the war in November 2022, and in May 2023 he beat his friend to death, writes Idel.Realii. He joined the ranks of mercenaries after he was recruited in the colony, where he was serving a sentence under five articles, including for beatings and robbery. He had previously been convicted of rape.
Locals say that Lyubimov kept the village in fear and constantly arranged drunken fights and showdowns. He threatened everyone, including women and children, who, because of this, were afraid to let go for a walk without adults. At the same time, they could not do anything with him, since he returned from the war “like a hero”, moreover, he was wounded. The website of the local school states that Lyubimov "dignifiedly fulfilled his sacred duty."
As the investigators established, on May 27, while intoxicated, he beat 56-year-old Igor Pushkin “on the basis of personal hostile relations,” after which he died on the spot. The Investigative Committee announced Lyubimov's arrest on May 31.
At the end of April, Vladivostok police were looking for 60-year-old Nikolai Pivovarov, who fought in Ukraine on the Russian side as part of the Tiger volunteer battalion. After returning, he killed his 55-year-old neighbor, who lived with him on the same street on Russky Island. Pivovarov's arrest was not reported.
