Russia 'monitoring' as historian critical of Zionism vanishes upon landing in Israel

Russian-Israeli historian Artyom Kirpichenok, 51, disappeared after landing at Ben-Gurion Airport on August 2, 2026, from Yerevan. He was to host a conference but has not been heard from since. Russia's embassy says it is monitoring and has submitted a request to Israeli authorities. Russian journalist Daria Mitina claims he is held by the Shin Bet.

Russian-Israeli historian Artyom Kirpichenok, 51, reportedly disappeared after arriving in Israel last week. He landed at Ben-Gurion Airport on August 2 on a flight from Yerevan, returning to host a conference, but has not been heard from since. Loved ones and colleagues could not reach him. Kirpichenok immigrated to Israel in the 1990s, graduated from Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and lived there for nearly 15 years before returning to Russia, where he adopted a critical stance on the Jewish state and Zionism. Russia's Ambassador to Israel, Anatoly Viktorov, said he submitted a request to relevant Israeli authorities but did not say if he received a response. The Russian embassy issued a statement saying it has taken note of reports that Kirpichenok was detained by Israeli law enforcement on August 2, has not received inquiries from relatives, but is monitoring the matter. Russian journalist and former State Duma representative Daria Mitina claimed Kirpichenok is in prison in the custody of the Shin Bet, writing that 'our worst fears have been confirmed' and the case needs 'maximum public attention.'