An investigation is underway involving a Soviet cyclist and 1980 Olympic champion after weapons were discovered in a forest near Sosnovo. The discovery includes a blank-firing assault rifle and a peculiar pistol.

The incident began when a St. Petersburg resident contacted police after hearing a gunshot in the Priozersky district forest. Upon investigating, the resident found a Honda Pilot belonging to the former Olympic champion.

The cyclist was seen emerging from the bushes near the vehicle. Close to the scene, authorities found a blank-firing Kalashnikov assault rifle and a P-96 pistol.

The Olympic champion denied ownership of the weapons and claimed he did not fire the shot before departing. Upon arrival of the investigative team, the former athlete was apprehended.

The cyclist is already registered as owning a Makarov traumatic pistol and a Winchester rifle. Authorities seized several items from the scene for analysis, including a target, the weapons, swabs from the individual, his clothing, a shell casing, cartridges, and a bullet.

The decision on whether to open a criminal case is pending.