Khabarovsk journalist Sergei Mingazov has died: he was tried for reposts about Bucha.
Well-known journalist Sergei Mingazov, who was tried by Russian authorities for allegedly spreading fake news about the army, has died in Khabarovsk.[cite: 9] Notably, the criminal prosecution took place against the backdrop of his severe cancer.[cite: 13, 14]
Prosecution during a terminal illness
Mingazov's death was reported by his colleague, Dmitry Nizovtsev.[cite: 10] As a reminder, in February 2025, Sergei Mingazov was sentenced to a fine of 2,5 million rubles for three reposts about the tragic events in Bucha, Ukraine.[cite: 11] The court deemed these publications "fake news."[cite: 11] However, the prosecutor's office deemed this punishment too lenient and requested a six-year prison sentence for the seriously ill journalist.[cite: 12]
Ultimately, this pressure coincided with a sharp deterioration in his health. Sergei Mingazov was diagnosed with stage four cancer.[cite: 13] Earlier this year alone, he underwent two surgeries—on February 27 and March 2.[cite: 13] The journalist's family and friends are absolutely certain that the criminal prosecution undermined Sergei's health and triggered the rapid progression of his cancer.[cite: 14] The final court hearing was held on June 29 without his participation, as at that time the journalist was undergoing his third of eight scheduled chemotherapy courses.[cite: 15]
"Where should I go? They won't wait!"
Sergei Mingazov was rightfully considered one of the most famous journalists in the Khabarovsk region.[cite: 16] Even during the perestroika years, he published the samizdat magazine "Okraina," where he wrote about the region's political life and informal Far Eastern communities.[cite: 17] He then spent many years working for major federal publications—Kommersant, Forbes, and others—and also mentored young journalists.[cite: 18] Friends also knew him as a regular participant in the BrainDo intellectual games.[cite: 18]
Despite the persecution, Sergei Mingazov repeatedly stated, including at court hearings, that he was a true patriot of his homeland and never planned to leave Khabarovsk.[cite: 19] He remained optimistic until the very end.
"Where am I supposed to go? They won't wait!" he cheerfully told NeMoskva after the court hearings. [cite: 20]
The editorial staff of NeMoskva expresses its deepest condolences to Sergei’s family and friends[cite: 21].
