Russian Ex-Mayor Who Left Prison for Ukraine War Dies From Combat Wounds

A former mayor of Russia’s Belgorod who joined the military after being sentenced to five years in prison for bribery has died from wounds sustained while fighting against Ukraine.Konstantin Polezhayev, who headed the city from 2015-19, and later served as deputy governor of Russia’s Belgorod region, was reportedly killed while serving with Russian forces, according to Russian media.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.The circumstances and location of his reported death were not immediately disclosed. Neither Russia’s defense ministry nor Belgorod regional authorities had publicly provided further details at the time of publication.Polezhayev was convicted in August 2024 of accepting a particularly large bribe while serving as deputy governor.Investigation said he received two foreign-made luxury vehicles worth about 18 million rubles ($213,400) from the head of a construction company. In exchange, he allegedly provided the company with favorable treatment, including assistance in securing contracts and obtaining payment for completed work.A court sentenced Polezhayev to five years in a maximum-security penal colony.Shortly before the verdict, however, Polezhayev announced that he had signed a contract with the Russian defense ministry and said he was prepared to “sacrifice his life.”A Russian appeals court later suspended proceedings in his case at the request of a military unit commander. Polezhayev was released from custody in October 2024 to begin military service, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported. Other Topics of Interest Ukraine Hits Major Russian Drone Hub 175 Kilometers From Border, Damages 5 Launchers The Tsimbulova complex, located about 175–180 km from Ukraine, reportedly stores and prepares hundreds of Geran-family attack drones. Independent Russian outlet Meduza subsequently reported that Polezhayev had initially joined a mobilization reserve unit rather than being sent directly into combat. It remains unclear when he was deployed to the front in Ukraine.Russia’s war has offered convicted officials and other prisoners a path out of detention through military service. Moscow has recruited extensively from prisons since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, initially through the Wagner mercenary group, and later through contracts administered by the defense ministry.Russian legislation allows criminal proceedings and sentences to be suspended when defendants or convicted prisoners sign military contracts. Those who receive state awards or complete their service may also become eligible to have their convictions cleared. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.