Russian Historian Reportedly Disappears After Landing at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport

Russian media and social networks report that Artyom Kirpichyonok, a historian and writer known for his anti-Israel views, disappeared after arriving in Israel last week. Kirpichyonok reportedly flew from Yerevan, Armenia, to Ben Gurion Airport but failed to make contact with acquaintances afterward. He was expected to attend an event in Israel but never reached his destination. Russian activists and acquaintances have called for help in locating him, urging anyone with information to come forward.

Kirpichyonok, 51, was born in Saint Petersburg and immigrated to Israel in the 1990s, living there for about 15 years. During that time, he studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and served in the Israeli military before returning to Russia. In recent years, he became known for his critical posts against Zionism and Israel.

According to Russian Telegram channels, the Russian embassy in Israel has contacted Israeli authorities regarding his alleged disappearance but has not yet received a response. Israeli officials have not issued any official statement on the matter as of now. Efforts to clarify the circumstances of Kirpichyonok's disappearance continue.