Media Reports: Mikhail Podolyak's Older Brother Was Killed In The Zaporizhzhia Region

• 9.11.2026, 22:54

He fought on Russia's side.

Vladimir, the older brother of Ukrainian Presidential Advisor Mikhail Podolyak, likely fought against Ukraine as part of the Russian army. He was killed in the temporarily occupied town of Kirillovka in the Zaporizhzhia region in May 2024.

New details about his death were uncovered thanks to a data leak from Rosstat. This was reported on November 9 by the project Killed in Ukraine project on November 9, as reported by New Voice.

The death of Vladimir Podolyak became known back in 2024. At that time, OSINT analysts discovered his grave, but the circumstances of his death remained unknown. The date on the cross was May 19, 2024.

According to leaked data from Rosstat, Vladimir Podolyak died from an intracranial injury sustained during combat operations in occupied Kirillovka.

In a photograph taken at the grave, he is shown wearing the uniform of a Russian Army colonel. Visible on his chest are the “For Service in Military Intelligence” badge, two Orders of Courage, and other awards. A wreath with the inscription “From the CPS Team” was also found next to the grave.

The website “Killed in Ukraine” speculated that this refers to the Specialist Training Center of Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate.

Mikhail Podolyak commented in hromadske stated that he has no information regarding his brother’s death: “We haven’t been in contact at all for decades. No communication of any kind—neither directly, nor through intermediaries, nor through relatives. I’ve never had anything to do with him or his family.”

In April 2024, Mykhailo Podolyak confirmed that his older brother lives in Russia. At the same time, he emphasized that he has no contact with his relative and bears no responsibility for his decisions.

According to the adviser to the President of Ukraine, his brother moved to Russia back in the days of the Soviet Union.