Russian TV chef found dead in a hotel room

russia - Russian TV chef Alexei Zimin, known for his outspoken criticism of the war in Ukraine, was found dead in a hotel room. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

Russian TV chef Alexei Zimin, a prominent figure in culinary programs and magazines in Russia, was found dead in a hotel room. Zimin, who fled to London after speaking out against the Russian annexation of Crimea, continued to host a cooking show and run a successful restaurant in the city. Despite facing threats from both Russian and pro-Ukrainian groups, Zimin remained defiant in his views, advocating for an end to the war and donating a portion of his restaurant earnings to help Ukrainian refugees. His recent death in Serbia has raised questions about potential foul play, although authorities have not yet identified any suspects.

Zimin's passing adds to a long list of critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin who have met untimely ends. The cases of Pavel Antov, who fell from a window in 2022 after criticizing Russian policies, and journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who was murdered in 2006 after reporting on human rights abuses in Russia, serve as grim reminders of the risks faced by those who oppose the Kremlin. High-profile figures like Boris Nemtsov and Alexei Navalny have also faced tragic fates for challenging Putin's authority, further underscoring the dangers of dissent in Russia.