«They weren't beating, they were killing»: Bastrykin probes assault on SMO participant

An SMO participant from Bashkiria appealed to the head of Russia«s Investigative Committee over a beating, claiming the new »overseer for Kumertau« was involved in the incident. A criminal case has been initiated over the attack, and now Alexander Bastrykin has taken an interest—he has requested a report.

Pavel K. posted a video on social media saying he signed a contract in August 2024. After being wounded in 2025, he underwent treatment in Moscow and then took leave to visit his parents in Kumertau. There, Pavel went to a nightclub, near which the brawl occurred.

«I didn«t touch anyone, I didn»t bother anyone. An unfamiliar guy came up to me and asked me to go outside. We went out. He started demanding why I wasn«t giving money »for the common fund« from the »front« to Arthur Bashkirov, and he was standing nearby. I told them off, and they started beating me up in a group. They beat me, took my watch, and the watch was from Vova Kokh—he is the current »overseer for Kumertau«,» the Bashkiria resident said.

He documented the injuries—four lumbar ribs were broken, he claims. In total, six people took part in the fight, according to him.

«I told them: «I am an active serviceman, guys, what are you doing? I came from the SMO.» And they told me: «We don»t care.« They weren»t beating, they were killing,» the SMO participant stated.

He noted that no measures are being taken in the city because it is small and «everyone covers for each other.»

The club mentioned by the man is on the outskirts of Kumertau. According to the posters, artists from Bashkiria sometimes perform there, and the entrance fee ranges from 200 to 500 rubles ($3–$6 at current rates). In reviews, people complained about «inflated prices,» calling the establishment a «den of iniquity.»

«A place you don«t want to go to. It»s teeming with gopniks (street hooligans) on weekends,» one visitor stated.

«As if stuck in the 90s,» another wrote.

«Loss of property—they won«t help you with that. If they do help, it will be after a day and it doesn»t matter how far you are from this establishment, because you will be at fault in any state and position,» another complained.

Despite an abundance of good reviews, the establishment«s rating is 2.8.

Recall that in October 2025, law enforcement busted the so-called «overseer for Kumertau»—Nikita B., known as Boldyr. The 36-year-old criminal was accused of occupying a high position in the criminal hierarchy. Weeks later, law enforcement tracked down a Chechen «overseer for Bashkiria»: he was believed to control the flow of money from criminal groups.