Mikhail Popkov, known as Russia’s most notorious serial killer, has been sentenced to an additional ten years in prison following his conviction for the murders of two more women. This ruling, delivered by an Irkutsk court, raises his confirmed victim count to an alarming total of 92. The 61-year-old former police officer now faces a life behind bars, already serving two life sentences and an extra 19 years for prior murders.
Popkov’s crimes, committed between 1992 and 2011, involved the sexual assault and brutal murder of women aged between 18 and 50. He employed a range of weapons, including axes, hammers, and knives, or resorted to strangulation. The latest convictions relate to the 2008 murders of two 27-year-old friends, whose bodies were discovered near the Angarsk Electromechanical Plant.
During a chilling reenactment of the crime, Popkov confessed to strangling the women after they had rejected his advances. According to the Russian Investigative Committee, he lured one victim into his car while he attacked her friend outside. After ensuring she was lifeless, he returned to the vehicle to kill the second woman in the same manner. The bodies were eventually found in a forested area off the M-53 highway, but at the time, the murderer remained unidentified.
Popkov’s motives are deeply unsettling. He claimed to target women he perceived as “abandoning their husbands and children,” expressing a desire to carry out what he described as a “cleanse of prostitutes.” His troubling mindset was highlighted during court proceedings, where he expressed that his actions were guided by “inner convictions.”
Psychological Assessment and Background
A psychiatric assessment identified Popkov as suffering from homicidal mania, a condition characterized by an irrational desire to kill. Despite this diagnosis, he was deemed mentally competent to stand trial. His history as a police officer raised questions about how he managed to evade capture for so long while committing these heinous acts.
Popkov’s criminal activities predominantly took place in Angarsk, where he preyed on solitary women. He often offered them rides in his police patrol car, driving them to isolated locations before assaulting and murdering them. After the crimes, he would abandon their naked bodies along highways or in wooded areas.
In a revealing statement to the court, Popkov admitted, “Committing the murders, I was guided by my inner convictions.” He also expressed uncertainty about the total number of victims, suggesting that his final body count could be “closer to 200,” according to experts.
Speculation on Personal Life and Motives
Popkov’s violent tendencies have been linked to personal turmoil, particularly an alleged affair his wife, Elena Popkov, had with a colleague, Alexey Mulyavin. Mulyavin confirmed that he had a brief relationship with Elena, which Popkov suspected but did not witness directly. He recounted finding used condoms at home and confronting Elena about infidelity, which he claimed was a turning point leading to his violent outbursts.
In 1996, Russia imposed a moratorium on capital punishment, yet discussions about reinstating the death penalty continue, especially given the nature of Popkov’s crimes. Historically, executions in Russia were carried out by gunshot to the back of the head.
Disturbing family videos from the 1990s show Popkov brandishing a knife while reciting a children’s rhyme with dark undertones. In these clips, he ominously declares, “I will slash you. I will beat you. Now it’s your turn,” showcasing a chilling glimpse into his psyche.
As Popkov continues to serve his sentences, his case remains a haunting reminder of the depths of human depravity and the complex motivations that can drive individuals to commit unspeakable acts.
