In Moscow, Andrey Bottikov, a virologist and co-creator of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, was reported by Telegram channels before authorities confirmed the events. Law enforcement later provided details about the investigation.
The incident took place in the Shchukino district, in the northwest part of the capital, on Rogov Street, inside Bottikov’s apartment. The investigation was disclosed by the Investigative Committee.
The murder happened on March 2 during a dispute. A 29-year-old man strangled a 48-year-old landlord and then fled the scene.
The suspect was quickly located and taken into custody. During questioning, he admitted guilt and was charged under Part 1 of Article 105 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for Murder. The maximum penalty under this article is 15 years in prison. Earlier reports indicated that the man had prior prosecutions for serious crimes.
On Friday evening, the Moscow City Court press service announced that the Khoroshevsky District Court had detained the suspect for two months. The man’s name was revealed as Alexei Zmanovsky, who confirmed his guilty plea at trial.
A law enforcement source told RIA Novosti that the deceased was Andrey Bottikov, born in 1974, noted as one of the creators of the Sputnik V vaccine. An interview with the agency cited a representative from the UK explaining that Bottikov was strangled with a belt.
Various media outlets and Telegram channels, citing eyewitnesses and sources, shared details about the crime. Reports indicated that medical personnel arrived quickly and attempted to save Bottikov, but he died.
Mash reported that Bottikov’s body showed several stab wounds and abrasions. In connection with the case, authorities also detained the suspect’s girlfriend, an 18-year-old named Olga Duboiskaya. The couple was described as originating from Kaluga. Telegram sources claimed Zmanovsky visited Bottikov, leading to a conflict that ended in murder. It was alleged that the suspect stole Bottikov’s belongings and fled, with the girlfriend waiting at the entrance.
According to the channel 112, Zmanovsky had previously served ten years in a correctional facility for kidnapping. After strangling Bottikov with a belt, the suspect allegedly stabbed him and then left the apartment with valuables. He reportedly told his girlfriend about the murder, but she did not inform the police. On the morning of March 3, Bottikov’s colleagues at Gamaleya reportedly found the body after colleagues noticed his absence and notified authorities.
Andrey Bottikov contributed to a patent for the Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 and, in the summer of 2021, was awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, II degree, by decree of President Vladimir Putin.
As reported by Gamaleya headquarters, Bottikov continued work at the State Virus Collection laboratory. He studied at the Institute of Virology named after Ivanovsky and became part of the Federal State Budgetary Institution, Ministry of Health of Russia since 2002. His primary focus included studying viruses in pathogenicity groups 2-4.
Colleagues described Bottikov as actively involved in research related to the coronavirus from the outset of the pandemic. He reportedly helped develop models for the spread of COVID-19 and later contributed to vaccine development.
One colleague noted Bottikov as not only a highly skilled specialist but also a kind and supportive person who was always ready to help. This was described as a significant loss for the field and his team, with many expressing sympathy for his family and colleagues.