A sportsman and a young man from Podolsk were at the center of media attention after a fatal incident at a Podolsk restaurant near Moscow. A top official from the Investigative Committee of the Moscow Region stated that the athlete Artem Ivanyuzhenkov, who also plays hockey for HC Sochi, was not involved in the murder that occurred there. The denial came in response to questions from journalists and was echoed by UK authorities, who also warned that circulating misinformation could carry consequences.
On the night of the incident, a dispute at the restaurant escalated into a stabbing, and a 23-year-old man died from his wounds. Various sources relayed accounts from witnesses and friends, including claims that the injured person attempted to seek medical help after being driven to a hospital, while another account described the circumstances as a moment of shock that led to an attempted act of revenge. Officials later clarified that these narrative strands do not establish involvement by the hockey player in question.
In the immediate aftermath, reports circulated on social and Telegram channels claiming that Ivanyuzhenkov delivered the fatal blow and then fled the scene. Later updates stated that witnesses had retracted their statements, and discussions about CCTV footage circulated widely. Investigative bodies conducted their work at the scene, securing weapons and other items for examination.
As the investigation unfolded, local media reported that the suspect in the case is a resident born in 1995, and that the suspect had submitted a confession. Those initial claims were followed by subsequent statements from law enforcement clarifying the status of the case and the ongoing investigative process.
Further narratives emerged through various channels, including claims about the timing and location of Ivanyuzhenkov’s movements. A video surfaced showing the hockey player in Sochi for a training camp around the time of the incident, with supporters insisting he could not have been involved. The player’s team, HC Sochi, indicated that the club was not in the playoffs and that the player had been away for a training period around late February into March. Members of his circle asserted that he was in the city for hockey duties and had remained away from Podolsk during the critical hours.
At times, discussions touched on the broader family background, including the father, Boris Ivanyuzhenkov, who has held political roles and sports administration posts. The Podolsk area has a history of close-knit networks and long-standing associations with local sports and law enforcement. Local commentary reflected a mix of concern for the family and interest in the factual course of the investigation.
Two accidents linked to the Ivanyuzhenkov brothers
Historical incidents involving the Ivanyuzhenkov brothers include a 2020 collision in Podolsk when Artem, driving a BMW X6, struck a cyclist who died at the scene. Official reports noted that no alcohol was found in the driver’s blood at the time of the incident. The driver subsequently faced health checks as part of the investigation.
Another earlier accident occurred in 2016, involving Artem’s elder brother Anton, who was driving at the time. Reports from various outlets described victims who survived the encounter, while Anton himself had a prior hockey career. The family’s ties to the Podolsk area and to the broader sports community were repeatedly referenced during coverage.
Public commentary in local media pointed to connections with notable local figures and groups, highlighting how Podolsk’s social and criminal histories sometimes intersect with sports figures and family backgrounds. These threads were discussed in multiple channels and reflected ongoing interest in the people involved and the implications for community safety and reputation.
In the months following these events, local coverage continued to explore the relationships among the individuals involved, the role of the media, and the position of political and sports authorities in Podolsk. The broader narrative remained focused on understanding the sequence of events, confirming identifications, and reporting updates from investigators and police agencies as they became available.