Oleg Benevolensky, a survivor of a tragic White Sea kayaking trip, is now facing trial in connection with the deaths of three fellow tourists: Valeria Puzhnyak, Vladimir Bondarev, and Viktor Zuzanov. The incident occurred on July 20 when a group from Volgograd embarked on a kayaking expedition from the Kuzova Islands to Solovetsky Island.

The group encountered worsening weather conditions and attempted to return. Four kayakers reached different islands in the Kuzova archipelago; two were rescued by the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, and two were evacuated by helicopter. Three tourists, however, went missing.

The body of 24-year-old Vladimir Bondarev was discovered near Varbarluda Island four days later. Valeria Puzhnyak’s body was found on August 1 and buried on August 6. The body of Viktor Zuzanov was found the same day.

Initially, investigative authorities declined to initiate a criminal case, but relatives of the deceased appealed to the head of the Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin. Bastrykin ordered the initiation of a criminal case and requested a report on the procedural decisions made and the arguments presented in the appeal.

Benevolensky denies being the organizer of the trip, stating that the group was a team of friends without a hierarchical structure. He emphasizes that each boat was an independent unit, and decisions were made collectively.

Preparation for the hike began six months prior, with winter training in swimming pools and spring training during the “high water” period. The group decided to spend the summer in Solovki, with the Kuzova Islands as the highlight of the trip. The cost was approximately 66,000 rubles per person, covering car rentals, fuel, and group equipment.

The group agreed that there would be no leaders and that they would travel at the speed of the slowest boat. Every evening, they would discuss their health and physical condition, departure times, and the distance to be covered.

The group launched their kayaks from Rabocheostrovsk, using a two-seater Boreal Design Esperanto sea kayak and two Russian Vuoksas. Benevolensky noted that the Vuoksas are designed with inflatable sides that keep them afloat even if capsized, a feature that helped the kayakers survive for several hours.

Before departing, the group spent a day acclimatizing, testing the boats, and stocking supplies. They agreed to maintain a distance of 20 to 50 meters between boats and to monitor the water for signs of changing weather.

The expedition began with nine people: Oleg and his girlfriend, Valeria and Vladimir on a three-seater Vuoksa, Eleonora and Sergei on another Vuoksa, and Viktor, Vyacheslav, and his 16-year-old son on single boats.

Before the launch, Viktor discovered that his life jacket was missing and declined to purchase a new one, stating that it would interfere with his ability to perform an Eskimo roll and that he had a “dry suit” for buoyancy. Vyacheslav also caused a problem by attempting to load metal pipes meant for his boat into the newcomers’ kayak.

On the first day, the group covered about 10 kilometers to Taparukha Island. The following day, they planned to reach the Kuzova Islands and set up camp on German Kuzov Island. Vyacheslav suggested leaving early due to predicted headwind, but the group decided to stay for a planned day off. He then announced his decision to separate from the group and left the next morning.

Later that day, the group decided to leave for Top Island, approximately 14 kilometers away. After covering 11 kilometers, they encountered a headwind. Oleg initially wanted to continue forward. However, they soon realized they had been standing still.

Oleg decided to turn back, but Valeria and Vladimir argued that the island was close. At some point, the boat carrying Valeria and Vladimir filled with water for unknown reasons. Eleonora and Sergei unhooked and returned to Kuzova. Viktor then capsized multiple times and became separated from the group.

According to Oleg, the distance between them and Viktor increased rapidly due to the wind and current. Valeria then grabbed onto Oleg and his companion in fear. Eventually, the boat carrying Valeria and Vladimir began to heel, and Oleg instructed them to get out.

After about four hours, Vladimir went missing. The group continued drifting when a wave hit, causing Valeria’s kayak to crash into Oleg’s boat and tear off the cargo compartment lid. Shortly after, Valeria slipped into the water and disappeared.

Oleg and his companion managed to detach the Vuoksa and were carried by the wind and waves to Nakhkaluda Island. They reached the island around 5 a.m. and called for help. They were later rescued by boat.

Sergei and Elya also reached safety and called for help. Rescuers arrived approximately six hours later.

The survivors were taken to Solovki, where they were interrogated. They were then provided with accommodation and spent the night. Afterwards, they were inundated with calls from media outlets and scammers.

The four survivors returned to Kem, where they hired a boat to search for the missing tourists. They found Vladimir’s body. An autopsy revealed that he had died from hypothermia.

The kayakers transported Vladimir’s body to the morgue themselves and continued the search. Local fishermen also assisted. On the ninth day, the Volgograd residents returned home. The next day, investigators informed them that Valeria’s body had been found.

Oleg states that the kayaking community in Volgograd is divided over the flooded boat and the lack of a life jacket for Viktor. He said the group was asked not to attend the funerals of the deceased and that further communication should be through lawyers. However, they maintain contact with Vladimir’s family.