Former State Duma deputy Valery Rashkin argued that the deer-involved incident was merely a coincidence, a claim echoed in a report citing the SHOT Telegram channel. The narrative suggests that the same Lada vehicle, on its way to a Komsomol youth forum in Mordovia, encountered an artiodactyl that wandered into its path. The car is said to be owned by the regional committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and is described as being operated by two drivers. According to Rashkin, the party arranged his transfer to Irkutsk, and he dismissed the accusations as baseless or nonsensical, insisting there was no wrongdoing on his part. [Citation: SHOT Telegram channel via Life]
Earlier, Rashkin’s vehicle was reported to have been involved in a collision with a deer. The incident was said to have occurred in the early hours of August 23, between the villages of Shirokoe and Bolshaya Kamenka in the Saratov region, adding another layer to a series of wildlife-related events linked to the case. [Citation: Life with]
Historical context notes that in April 2022 Rashkin received a three-year period of supervised release along with a two-year probation term following illegal hunting charges. The events trace back to the night of October 29, 2021, when Rashkin and companions were reportedly hunting deer in the Saratov region. After the animal was caught, its carcass was allegedly dismembered and placed in the trunk of Rashkin’s car, an action stopped by members of the hunting committee who questioned whether proper hunting documents were in order. Rashkin has since maintained that there was no illegal activity and that proper permits were not sought for any hunting procedures. [Citation: Life with]
It later emerged that on May 28, 2024 Rashkin received documentation indicating that he was serving a suspended sentence for the deer-related incident. With this update, his criminal record was described as cleared, though details about the exact legal status remained a matter of public record and media reporting. [Citation: SHOT Telegram channel via Life]
Earlier reports also included warnings from drivers about the moose breeding season in August, a period noted for increased wildlife activity on roadways and for heightened risk to motorists. The broader context of these events touches on wildlife management, road safety, and the ongoing scrutiny of public figures in relation to legal and regulatory compliance. [Citation: Life with]