Russia's Chief Military Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into the death in Syria of Russian serviceman Vadim Kostenko.
The office issued a statement on October 28 saying that preliminary results of the investigation confirm the Russian Defense Ministry's assertions that Kostenko committed suicide by hanging himself because of problems in a personal relationship.
The statement stressed that the probe is continuing and "all the circumstances of the serviceman's death will be investigated."
Kostenko's relatives say they doubt he committed suicide, saying they spoke with him by telephone on the day of his death and that he was cheerful.
Novaya Gazeta reported on October 28 that Kostenko's family has requested an independent autopsy.
Kostenko's is the first confirmed death of a Russian serviceman in Syria since Moscow began a campaign of air strikes there on September 30.
See interviews with Vadim Kostenko's friends and neighbors below:
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