A Russian wrestling legend and former lawmaker has died after reportedly falling from his bedroom window in Moscow under mysterious circumstances. Buvaisar Saitiev, 49, passed away on March 2, with his wife Indira stating she was not present at their home when the incident occurred.
According to Russian newspaper Moskovskij Komsomolets, Indira said she had left the house while her husband was in bed, watching television and dozing. “I think it was just an accident,” she stated.
Indira revealed that her husband sustained pelvic injuries and rib fractures. “Perhaps Buivasar was not fully aware of what he was doing,” she said. “He suffered from a serious lung disease and was forced to take strong pain killers.”
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov reported on Telegram that Saitiev had been receiving treatment for heart problems at a Moscow hospital.
A janitor discovered Saitiev in critical condition on Minskaya Street. According to Baza, a Telegram channel with connections to Russian security services, he initially showed no visible injuries or signs of bleeding, making the circumstances unclear.
Saitiev, who later became a member of President Putin’s United Russia Party, was transported to the hospital but could not be saved. Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev described the death as “premature and tragic.”
During questioning, Saitiev’s brother suggested he may have fallen while doing housework.
“This is an irreparable loss for the entire country, for the world of sports, for everyone who knew this outstanding person,” Kadyrov stated.
The incident adds to a series of cases involving prominent Russians falling from windows since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In 2022, Ravil Maganov, chair of oil giant Lukoil, was found dead after falling from a hospital. In 2023, Russian businessman Pavel Antov fell from a window in India after criticizing Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Before entering politics, Saitiev achieved remarkable success in wrestling, securing Olympic gold medals in Atlanta (1996), Athens (2004), and Beijing (2008) before retiring in 2009.
Three days of mourning have been declared in Chechnya from March 3 to 5, with national flags of Russia and the Chechen Republic to be flown at half-mast throughout the region.
