Russian Scientist Dies Days After Brutal Assault as Criminal Investigation Begins

Nikita Zezin, a Doctor of Agricultural Sciences and Director of the Ural Federal Agrarian Research Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, died at the age of 67 in Yekaterinburg. His death came nine days after he was violently assaulted, prompting a criminal investigation into the incident. Zezin died on July 22. He had been attacked on July 13. The official cause of death was reported as a heart attack, but his relatives believe the assault significantly contributed to the deterioration of his health. Regional lawmaker Vyacheslav Vegner stated that Zezin had not suffered from any serious health problems before the attack. Attack Captured on Video Video footage circulating online shows a man wearing red trousers pushing Zezin before striking him several times in the head with his fists. Children can be seen nearby during the assault.