Aleksey Eduardovich, 61, a member of a family of high-ranking security officials, died in Yekaterinburg Hospital No. 40 due to sepsis resulting from phlegmon of the gluteal region, according to the medical certificate of death. He had sought medical help on May 17 for a rapidly developing abscess in his buttock.

Despite undergoing treatment after the abscess was opened, his condition did not improve. Due to a lack of available beds in the purulent surgery department, he was placed in the proctology department. Ten days after being admitted, he was urgently transferred to intensive care and placed on a ventilator. He died on June 3.

While he had been monitored at the Sverdlovsk Oncology Dispensary for lung cancer, the cancer was not determined to be the cause of his death. Sepsis, or blood poisoning, occurs when bacteria or viruses enter the bloodstream. Phlegmon is an acute, diffuse purulent inflammation that develops when an abscess spreads to surrounding tissues.

Yulia Lipinskaya, the lawyer representing the deceased’s family, stated that they believe the oncology was not directly related to the cause of death and expressed regret that they were deprived of the opportunity to save him. She added that if there was fault of medical workers in what happened, it will be proven.

The Investigative Committee of the Sverdlovsk Region has opened a criminal case under the article “Negligence.” Hospital No. 40 declined to comment specifically due to medical confidentiality but assured that all patients receive professional assistance. A new building is planned for Yekaterinburg Hospital No. 40 with new admission protocols, including sending emergency cases directly to surgery.