Tragic Incident: Moscow University Chancellor Dies While Visiting Iconic Motherland Calls Monument

The chancellor of the State Academy of Physical Education in Moscow passed away within the head of the iconic Motherland Calls memorial dedicated to World War II, located in the Volgograd region of southern Russia, according to local news reports on Thursday.

Nikolai Chesnokov, 68, reportedly became unwell during a visit to the 85-meter (279-foot) statue, as per information from V1.ru, which cited anonymous sources. He was reportedly with colleagues who attempted to revive him, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

The Telegram channel Baza, which is believed to have connections with Russian security agencies, asserted that the excursion into the monument had not received proper authorization. They described the inside of the statue’s head as a small chamber featuring a wooden floor and a bench, accessible through a hatch.

A preliminary investigation into Chesnokov’s death has been initiated by authorities, but they have indicated that there are no indications of foul play.

Chesnokov was in Volgograd to partake in a nationwide sporting festival for universities, according to media reports. It was noted that he had laid flowers at an eternal flame near the Motherland Calls before entering the monument.

The Motherland Calls is located at Mamayev Kurgan, the historical site of the Battle of Stalingrad—the deadliest battle of World War II, where Soviet forces halted the Nazi advance, resulting in over 1 million casualties.

During the war, Volgograd was known as Stalingrad. As the 80th anniversary of the war’s conclusion approaches this Victory Day, there have been increasing public demands for President Vladimir Putin to officially revert the city’s name back to its Soviet-era title in homage to Josef Stalin.

In recent years, officials have occasionally reinstated the name Stalingrad for national holidays and military commemorations.