Kathrine Frich
The chancellor of Russia’s most prestigious sports university, was discovered dead inside the head of The Motherland Calls statue.
The chancellor of Russia’s most prestigious sports university, was discovered dead inside the head of The Motherland Calls statue.
Top Russian sports professor found dead inside towering statue
In a scene straight out of a thriller, Professor Nikolay Chesnokov, chancellor of Russia’s most prestigious sports university, was discovered dead inside the head of The Motherland Calls statue in Volgograd.
The monument, closed to the public at the time, rises 279 feet into the air and is one of Russia’s most iconic landmarks.
Chesnokov entered the closed landmark illegally
Authorities say Chesnokov was not authorized to be inside the statue.
Access to the head, over 107 feet above the ground, requires climbing more than 200 steps, many of which are vertical ladders.
It’s typically off-limits to all but maintenance staff, making his presence there highly unusual and raising immediate questions.
Final photo shows professor preparing to honour fallen soldiers
Before entering the statue, Chesnokov was reportedly seen laying flowers at the base of the monument, which serves as a sacred World War II memorial.
Known as a patriotic figure and a decorated Soviet-era athlete, his presence at the site was not unexpected—until he vanished inside it.
Police investigate, but no sign of foul play yet
Russia’s Investigative Committee confirmed an inquiry is underway. So far, officials say there are no signs of criminal activity.
Investigators are exploring whether Chesnokov fell, became disoriented, or suffered a medical emergency such as a heart attack while inside the monument.
Statue was world’s tallest at one time
The Motherland Calls was the tallest statue in the world when it was completed in 1967. It commemorates the Battle of Stalingrad and holds deep national significance.
Locals say climbing into the head of the statue is rare and illegal for the general public, adding to the mystery of how Chesnokov got in.
The man behind Russia’s Olympic coaching elite
Chesnokov led the Moscow State Academy of Physical Culture, a Kremlin-backed university known for training the nation’s elite athletes, coaches, and sports scientists.
A “Master of Sport” in athletics and an academician, he was respected across Russia’s sports and academic worlds.
More questions than answers in Volgograd tragedy
As tributes pour in for Chesnokov, police continue to piece together his final movements. Why he climbed into the statue, and how he accessed a restricted area without immediate detection, remains unclear.
For now, the death of a respected professor in such a surreal setting continues to baffle the nation.