in-cyprus 12 January 2026
Police in Cyprus are continuing an air and sea search for Vladislav Baumgertner, the former CEO of Russian potash giant Uralkali, who was reported missing from his residence in Pissouri on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.
The disappearance of the 56-year-old businessman, a figure once at the centre of a major diplomatic crisis between Moscow and Minsk, comes at a time of tension between the Republic of Cyprus and the Russian Federation. Nicosia recently alleged an “organised hybrid attack” by Russian disinformation networks following the leak of a manipulated corruption video targeting the Christodoulides administration.
The search operation, involving police units, Civil Defence, and volunteers, has focused on a steep, rugged coastal area after Baumgertner’s mobile phone signal was last tracked to the cliffs near Pissouri. However, efforts have been hampered by storms. While a police helicopter and drones were deployed on Sunday, the mission was temporarily suspended due to adverse weather conditions and resumed on Monday.
Past criminal charges
In 2013, Baumgertner was arrested at Minsk airport and held in a KGB pre-trial detention centre after inviting a row with the Belarusian government over a potash cartel. Uralkali had declared that it would stop selling its product through the Belarusian Potash Company (BKK). The trader dealt primarily with Russian Uralkali and state-run Belaruskali, with both sides accusing each other of undocumented sales without the aid of BKK.
Baumgertner was arrested in Minsk in August 2013 for abuse of office. He was extradited to Moscow on November 22 and then placed under house. In late 2013, the Uralkali board dismissed Baumgertner as the company’s CEO.
The case was turned over to Russia in September 2014. In Russia, Baumgertner was charged with abuse of office. Charges against him were dropped in 2015.
Police describe Baumgertner as 1.90 metres tall, of slim build, with grey hair; he was last seen wearing a black T-shirt and black shorts.
