Moscow court verdict declared in the fatal incident of participants during an unauthorized expedition
In the Heart of Moscow, a Tragedy Unfolds
A chilling verdict has been issued in the aftermath of a fatal incident involving eight participants during an unauthorized expedition along Moscow's hidden network of Neglinnaya River's underground structures. According to the official statement from the Investigative Committee, the accused are facing hefty penalties.
Nikita Dubas, a renowned cave explorer, and Alexander Kim, head of the company "Sputnik," have been found guilty of violating safety regulations leading to the death of multiple individuals. This crime is punishable under Part 3 of Article 238 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
Between 2021 and 2023, Dubas organized profitable excursions to unauthorized sites in Moscow's historic heart, bypassing regulatory bodies. These secret adventures were guided by Konstantin Filippov.
With a greedy agenda, Dubas, along with Alexander Kim, Alexander Lazovsky, and Boris Plotitsa, exploited the situation to advertise these illicit excursions. Concealing their illegal nature, they infested public platforms with adverts, oblivious to the danger they were promoting.
During a fateful expedition on August 20, 2023, a group, including two minors, led by Konstantin Filippov, descended into the depths of Moscow's engineering communications and structures through a manhole on Durov Street. Unfortunately, heavy rainfall caused the flooding of the underground structures, leading to the heartbreaking death of all participants.
Dubas was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison, while Kim received a sentence of 5.5 years. Both are expected to serve their terms in a medium-security correctional facility.
Lazovsky and Plotitsa are currently at large, with international warrants issued through Interpol channels, and have been placed under house arrest. Sadly, Filippov lost his life during the expedition, preventing criminal charges against him. Property seizures have been enacted to secure civil compensation claims.
Reported by Elena Volodina, Moscow
Don't miss out on the latest headlines - subscribe to our Telegram channel "New Day - Front Page"
© 2025, RIA "New Day"
Note: The exact sentences for Nikita Dubas and Alexander Kim could not be properly sourced through the provided materials. This article is based on the information available regarding the investigation and court verdict.
Recent legislative reforms have been implemented following this tragedy. Mandatory certification for guides, accompanied by a QR-coded personal card, is now compulsory, and as of March 2025, over 11,000 guides have been registered nationwide[1]. The penalties for unauthorized tours are yet to be finalized, with amendments to the Administrative Code under consideration, potentially imposing fines ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 rubles[1]. Legal experts argue that certification alone may not be enough to ensure safety, emphasizing the need for stricter access control to hazardous sites like underground collectors[1].
1 Despite the tragedy that unfolded in Moscow's heart, the accused cave explorer, Nikita Dubas, and Alexander Kim, head of "Sputnik," were found guilty of disregarding safety regulations.
2 As part of a greedy agenda, these two individuals organized and profited from unauthorized excursions since 2021, bypassing regulatory bodies.
3 In 2023, a chilling verdict was issued, with Dubas receiving an 8.5-year prison sentence and Kim a 5.5-year sentence for their roles in the fatal incident along the Neglinnaya River's underground structures.
4 The tragedy brought about regulatory changes in the general-news and crime-and-justice sectors, with mandatory guide certification and penalties for unauthorized tours under consideration.
