Russian diplomat dies in Cyprus amid intelligence probe

The last two weeks have brought not one but two mysteries surrounding Russian men in Cyprus. The first involved Vladislav Baumgertner, the former CEO of a major potash producer, who went missing after leaving for a rock climbing trip on January 7. Then, a day later, diplomat Anton Panov died in a reported suicide in the Russian Embassy in Nicosia. According to subsequent media reports, he was working for Russian intelligence. It’s unclear whether the incidents are connected — or if they have to do with a separate ongoing Cypriot political scandal. Here’s what we know.