Former Uralkali CEO Vladislav Baumgertner Confirmed Dead in Cyprus
Limassol, Friday, 6 February 2026.
DNA analysis identified remains found on a British military base beach as Vladislav Baumgertner, the former Uralkali CEO central to the 2013 “potash war” who vanished in January.
Forensic Confirmation Ends Weeks of Uncertainty
Authorities in Cyprus have conclusively identified human remains discovered last month as those of Vladislav Baumgertner, the 53-year-old former CEO of the Russian fertilizer giant Uralkali [1][2]. The identification was confirmed on Wednesday by police from the British Sovereign Base Areas, who utilized DNA analysis to verify the identity of the body found on Avdimou beach, located within the British military jurisdiction on the island’s southern coast [1][5]. The investigation into the cause of death remains active, with police officials stating that while the identity is now certain, the specific circumstances leading to his demise have not yet been established [3][5].
Timeline of a Disappearance
Baumgertner, who had been residing in Cyprus for several years, was reported missing from his home in the coastal city of Limassol on 7 January 2026 [1][4]. According to local reports, he ceased communication on that day, though his mobile phone signal was last detected three days later, on 10 January, near the village of Pissouri [3][4]. This area is characterized by steep, rugged cliffs and is known for its difficult terrain [3]. The body was subsequently discovered on 14 January—one week after he was last seen—in a state of advanced decomposition that necessitated the use of forensic science for identification [3][4]. While authorities have not officially ruled on the manner of death, sources close to the businessman have suggested an accidental fall is a primary theory, noting that Baumgertner was an active hiker and rock climber known to frequent such routes [3][5].
Echoes of the 2013 Potash War
Baumgertner’s name is inextricably linked to one of the most volatile episodes in the global fertilizer market: the 2013 “potash war.” As CEO of Uralkali, he oversaw the company’s dramatic withdrawal from the Belarusian Potash Company (BPC), a joint trading venture with the state-owned Belaruskali that controlled approximately 25% of the global potash market [1][2]. The dissolution of this cartel triggered a collapse in global potash prices and sparked a fierce diplomatic row between Moscow and Minsk [1]. In a move that stunned the international business community, Baumgertner was detained in Minsk in September 2013 after being invited for talks with the Belarusian prime minister [4]. He was held under house arrest for two months on charges of abusing his office and harming the Belarusian economy before eventually being extradited to Russia [1][2].
Jurisdictional Complexities
The investigation is being conducted by the police force of the British Sovereign Base Areas, as the discovery site, Avdimou beach, lies within the Akrotiri and Dhekelia territories retained by the United Kingdom following Cypriot independence in 1960 [1][2]. These bases operate under their own legal and police systems, distinct from the Republic of Cyprus [2]. While the investigation continues, Russian media outlets have noted the coincidence of other events on the island; on the same day Baumgertner disappeared, a Russian embassy employee was reportedly found dead, and unrelated recordings of Cypriot officials discussing sanctions evasion surfaced, adding a layer of media speculation to the tragic event [3]. However, official police statements currently maintain that the cause of Baumgertner’s death is undetermined pending further forensic examination [5][6].