Russia accuses Margarita Reutt in Sevastopol killing as her past draws scrutiny

A Russian court in occupied Sevastopol apprehended 32-year-old Russian citizen Margarita Reutt on August 14. She purportedly admitted to orchestrating the bombing that claimed the life of Ukrainian military defector Robert Shageev, although the confession is unverifiable. The Guardian disclosed that Russian intelligence has previously disclosed fabricated confessions from detainees before their trials.

Reutt's arrest came after investigators discovered a remote control during a home search, which they believe was utilized to trigger the explosive device. She allegedly revealed that her handler, believed to have ties to Ukrainian intelligence, had promised her substantial cryptocurrency rewards and documentation enabling her departure from Russia.

The Guardian reported that Reutt's court proceedings are expected to be held in secret, and she is unlikely to have the chance to present her account of events. Ukrainian authorities have not confirmed or refuted Reutt's alleged involvement in Shageev's murder, and the newspaper conducted its own investigation into her background.

They discovered that Reutt, previously known as Margarita Yakovleva, was born in Yaroslavl, Russia, and raised predominantly by her grandmother after her parents divorced. Reutt was known for her adventurous spirit and participated in various extracurricular activities, including skydiving, kart racing, and water polo. She even joined a patriotic volunteer group seeking Soviet soldiers' remains from World War II.

After graduating, she relocated to Sochi, where she worked in the travel industry. In the early 2020s, Reutt joined Vitauct, a company specializing in longevity and alternative medicine, traveling frequently and documenting her adventures on social media. Colleagues described her as an ordinary individual, living a typical life.

However, Reutt's views towards Russia became increasingly hostile following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2024. She faced fines and administrative detention for expressing dissent. In February 2026, she posted a genetic test result indicating she was "98% Russian" and expressed shame about being Russian. The source concluded that the reasons behind Reutt's sudden interest in Crimea and her possible interactions with Ukrainian intelligence remain uncertain.