Former Russian convicts suspected of dismembering businessman in Thailand

Two former Russian prisoners who reportedly deserted from the war against Ukraine have become suspects in the brutal murder of 30-year-old entrepreneur Mikhail Yemelyanov. The news was reported by the portal 78, citing volunteer Svetlana Sherstoboeva.

Yemelyanov, a native of Saint Petersburg, had lived in Thailand for an extended period. On January 7, he went to a meeting in Bangkok and soon stopped responding to messages. Prior to that, he had warned relatives of possible danger and activated location sharing. His last signal was recorded at a residential building.

On February 1, Thai police discovered Yemelyanov’s dismembered and partially burned remains near Pattaya. Investigators are considering financial motives as a possible cause of the crime. According to the victim’s mother, Olga Lazabenko, her son had received threats related to a $120,000 debt or a car deal.

Volunteers established that the suspects, Dmitry Maskalyov and Yaroslav Demidov, met Yemelyanov in the summer of 2025. During the search effort, Demidov had even contacted volunteers, claiming he was interested in helping and denying involvement in any wrongdoing. Both men were later detained by police at a hotel.

It is reported that Maskalyov and Demidov previously served sentences in the same penal colony in Russia’s Novosibirsk region. After their release, they were sent to the war but later left their units without authorization. In Russia, they were wanted under charges related to unauthorized abandonment of military service (Article 337, Part 5 of the Criminal Code).