KRASNODAR, Russia – The chief editor of a Russian state TV company, Kuban, has been found dead in her home, raising suspicions of poisoning. Zoya Konovalova, 48, was discovered alongside her ex-husband, Andrey Gubatiyka, in Krasnodar city, near the frontlines of the ongoing conflict in the region.

An initial examination revealed no visible injuries on their bodies, but reports from her own channel indicated a preliminary cause of death as poisoning by an unknown substance. The Kuban media outlet is part of the state-run giant All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company [VGTRK], a key component of President Vladimir Putin’s propaganda empire.

The deaths of Konovalova and Gubatiyka are among dozens of mysterious deaths of prominent Russians since the beginning of Putin’s war in Ukraine. The area where Kuban operates is close to the annexed Crimea, and the region has been targeted by Ukraine during the ongoing conflict.

The discovery of Konovalova’s body comes just a month after the death of Anna Tsareva, the 35-year-old deputy editor-in-chief of Putin’s favorite propaganda newspaper, in Moscow. Vladimir Sungorkin, 68, editor-in-chief of another prominent newspaper, also passed away under suspicious circumstances last year.

These recent deaths have raised concerns about the safety of media personnel in Putin’s propaganda machine, with speculation about potential involvement by the Russian and Ukrainian governments. However, these developments are part of a wider trend of untimely or mysterious deaths since the start of Putin’s war in Ukraine.