A top defence official in Russia has been found dead after falling from a high window in a tower block.
Marina Yankina, 58, was discovered by a passer-by at the entrance of a house on Zamshina Street in St Petersburg.
She is believed to have fallen 50 metres to her death.
She was a key figure in the funding of Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.
Yankina was head of the financial support department of the Ministry of Defence for the Western Military District, which is closely involved in the dictator’s invasion.
The Russian Investigative Committee confirmed her death, and is probing her mystery fall.
She is the latest of many Russians to have plunged to their deaths during Putin’s long rule.
Before joining the Western Military region, Yankina worked in the Federal Tax Service, and also served as Deputy Chairman of the Property Relations Committee of St Petersburg.
Suicide is suspected, according to reports, but this is often stated in such cases before any investigation is carried out, or the facts are known.
The woman is believed to have been at the centre of efforts to boost funding for a war unleashed by Putin which has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths.
Initial reports suggest she did not live at the building.
Her personal belongings were found on the 16th floor of the building, and it is believed she fell from here.
She was friendly with senior officials in Leningrad region, near St Petersburg, Putin’s birthplace.
Story Credit: news.com.au