The Russian Investigative Committee is investigating Private Alexei Kostrikin for involvement in the murder of a resident of the village of Novaya Tavolzhanka on November 3. The regional Investigative Committee's press service reported this.

"A criminal case has been opened on the grounds of a crime under Part 1 of Article 105 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (murder)" - clarified in the department.

According to sources, the victim had come to inspect her home, where the fugitive was believed to be hiding. Kostrikin was previously accused of murdering 56-year-old Sergei S., raping his wife, a schoolteacher, and robbery. The attack took place in the same village: a soldier broke into the couple's home.

Kostrikin was detained on October 31, but he escaped from the military registration and enlistment office in Belgorod that same day. Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov ordered the deployment of territorial defense forces and volunteer militias to capture him. On the morning of November 1, the fugitive stole a Renault Logan, abandoning the car in the Shebekinsky District. The search is ongoing.