Russian authorities remain silent about the funeral of researcher Daria Shipilova, who died under suspicious circumstances

Russian authorities have imposed an information blackout regarding the funeral of 28-year-old researcher Daria Shipilova, who died approximately ten days ago in the Irkutsk region. It is not known whether the young woman has already been buried, or whether her family chose a regular coffin or a zinc one.

The researcher’s family has provided no details, while sources cited by the British press claim that relatives may have been pressured to remain silent. Daria’s mother, Svetlana, a medical professional, previously accused doctors of failing to save her daughter, after which she made no further public statements.

Shipilova worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute. Russian-born American expert Mikhail Favorov claims that she may have been infected following a laboratory accident, possibly by inhaling bacteria while handling materials. However, he rejects the theory that the laboratory was involved in a biological weapons program.

Russian authorities say that more than 5,500 tests conducted on contacts found no plague or other dangerous pathogens. The death was officially classified as pneumonia of undetermined etiology. The World Health Organization has continued to request explanations.