Head of Caucasian crime ring shot dead in gas station in northern Israel

Yanis Yushvaev, considered one of Israel's most dangerous criminals and head of the Caucasian mafia, was shot dead outside a gas station in Caesarea. According to the Jerusalem Post, video footage showed Yushvaev leaving a restaurant at the gas station before being approached from behind and shot in the head at close range. He was taken to hospital in critical condition and pronounced dead.

Police believe the killing was linked to a criminal feud, as reported by Haaretz. A large number of Coastal District police officers were dispatched to the scene to collect evidence and begin an investigation. A helicopter was also launched as part of the search for the suspected killer, who has not yet been identified.

Yushvaev had developed a network of connections with several prominent figures in the local criminal world, including Patrick Krasnopolsky and Osher Shmilov. According to the Jerusalem Post, Yushvaev and Krasnopolsky were arrested in June 2025 on suspicion of involvement in a shooting and grenade attacks on businesses in Or Akiva, but were released without charge.

Brief written by urgent.news from Haaretz, Jerusalem Post — 2 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.