Executive of Russian satellite company sanctioned over the Ukraine war is found dead 'from asphyxia' at his home

The chief accountant of a major Russian space satellite company sanctioned over the war in Ukraine has been found dead at his home in Siberia. 

Evgeny Postrigan, 50, of Reshetnev Information Satellite Systems which has military links, died 'from asphyxia' at his home in the town of Zheleznogorsk in Krasnoyarsk region, it has been claimed. 

His body was reportedly found by his wife in his garage the day after he had gone out, said reports citing law enforcement.

Reports suggest he took his own life but a preliminary criminal investigation is seeking to establish the full circumstances of his death, it is understood.

Locals have expressed surprise that a 'nice and decent man' who 'knew state secrets' would kill himself.

Postrigan was planning to celebrate his birthday this week. 

Russia has been hit by a spate of mysterious or untimely deaths since Vladimir Putin launched his war against Ukraine in February 2022.

Zheleznogorsk is a town closed to foreigners and others without permission to enter.

It was established by Kremlin dictator Stalin in 1950 to produce weapons-grade plutonium, but has multiple defence plants including nuclear facilities built inside caverns excavated in a granite mountain on the northern edge of the city, as well as space research enterprises.

Postrigan's company had been sanctioned over the war by the US, Switzerland, Japan and Ukraine.

The satellite company was 'vital to Russia's defence capabilities' and was part of the country's space agency.

US sanctions listings say the Reshetnev satellite company 'supported Russian government space systems that the Russian military uses to perpetrate its war against Ukraine'.

Its researchers were developing a so-called 'Big Eyes' means of 'conducting space reconnaissance'.

The company was reported to be behind satellites that would broadcast Putin propaganda to invaded regions of Ukraine.