Burning man murder victim identified as Russian

[unicorn]

https://www.rgj.com/story/news/2025/09/03/burning-man-homicide-victim-identified-as-vadim-kruglov-37/85952607007/

"The man found dead at Burning Man has been identified as Vadim Kruglov, 37, a Russian who was living in Tacoma, Washington. Kruglov was found dead in a pool of blood on Aug. 30. The Pershing County Sheriff's Office put out a plea on Aug. 31 for help identifying the victim. He was identified using fingerprints, according to the sheriff's office...".

I wonder if he was a refugee or asylee from Russia. Could the FSB have been involved? In any case, it looks like Vadim had a Билет в один конец (one-way ticket) from Russia to the US. 😢In any case, Vadim Putin could also find himself with a Билет в один конец to The Hague if he ever steps foot in the EU...

[unicorn]

[PeterRS]

5 hours ago, unicorn said:

In any case, Vadim Putin could also find himself with a Билет в один конец to The Hague if he ever steps foot in the EU...

Ghastly event! But you can rest assured that Putin will never set foot in the EU. He knows that will be his death warrant - death in jail that is.

[Moses]

8 hours ago, unicorn said:

I wonder if he was a refugee or asylee from Russia. Could the FSB have been involved?

Kruglov left Russia before 2022. 

By the way:

[unicorn]

Yes, there are deaths at Burning Man, mostly due to illicit drugs, which are prevalent at that festival. Kruglov was found in a pool of blood--clearly not a drug-related death. I hope the news media follows this story. I'm curious as to why he was targeted. 

[Moses]

Just now, unicorn said:

Kruglov was found in a pool of blood--clearly not a drug-related death.

Why? Maybe exactly drug-related: for murder there should be 2 persons - victim and predator, you know?

And correction to my post above: Kruglov left Russia in 2023, when first and only 5-week mobilization already ended.

Here are also a lot of publications about him and his death. For example https://www.kp.ru/daily/27747/5137741/ (rus)

[Mavica]

Ok. A man originally from Russia living in the USA with unknown permission to be in the country is found dead, maybe murdered, at a festival known to be frequented by many substance abusers or drug addicts. These seem to be the facts.  What basis is there to link Mr. Putin or Russian intelligence operatives to this death? 

[unicorn]

2 hours ago, Mavica said:

...What basis is there to link Mr. Putin or Russian intelligence operatives to this death? 

None of which I'm aware. It'll be interesting to see if police authorities will be able to figure out what happened. He could have been murdered at random by some drug-addicted lunatic. 

[jimmie50]

Perhaps because of my age, but I never have understood what the fascination or draw is for burning man.  Not something that appeals to me, nor do I think it would have when I was younger.  

[unicorn]

7 hours ago, jimmie50 said:

Perhaps because of my age, but I never have understood what the fascination or draw is for burning man.  Not something that appeals to me, nor do I think it would have when I was younger.  

I must admit that I've been curious for years, though never tempted to go. The festival definitely attracts a crowd of people who are not at all similar to myself. Those running the festival go to very great pains to make sure the site is not accessible to tourists and/or the curious. Money magazine estimated the cost of attending in 2017 to be about $2348 per person, and it hasn't gotten cheaper since:

https://money.com/burning-man-how-much-it-costs/

And that's if you don't need to rent an RV. 

[Moses]

8 hours ago, jimmie50 said:

what the fascination or draw is for burning man

It is art festival. More like temporary art gallery under the sky in desert. Burning action is just like "Trade Mark" of the festival.

I have to admit: some installation are really interesting as per photos from festival

 

 

 

 

 

 

Desert gives a lot of space, grants no rain weather and allows huge installations.

But, yes, festival attracts not only art lovers, but also a lot of freaks and drug users.

 

Kruglov was there with own installation, he was participant of the festival, not visitor.

 

 

[Moses]

Nevada desert, visitors are leaving festival after final day:

[unicorn]

16 hours ago, Moses said:

...

Kruglov was there with own installation, he was participant of the festival, not visitor.

As those who run the festival like to brag, there are no visitors--only participants.

https://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/burning-man

“‘No Spectators’ is a long-standing saying on Playa. You are encouraged to fully participate. It’s all about being there, being fully present, and not just observing. Two of the ten principles of Burning Man are radical participation and radical inclusivity, meaning that there are no outsiders. Everyone is part of the experience.”

– Nora Atkinson, The Fleur and Charles Bresler Curator-in-Charge, Renwick Gallery

There are definitely no day-passes, and it's essentially impossible to visit as a tourist.

AI Overview

 

 

Yes, the idea that there are only participants, and no visitors, is a core principle of the Burning Man event

. The event is a temporary community, known as Black Rock City, which is created entirely by those who attend. 

Key aspects of this principle include:

• Radical participation: The culture is built on the idea that every individual is a creative and interactive part of the experience, rather than a passive onlooker. Everyone is encouraged to contribute to the city, the art, and the overall communal effort.
• "No spectators" is a common mantra: This longstanding saying on the Playa (the desert floor) reinforces that simply observing is not enough; you must be present and engaged.
• Creation over consumption: Unlike a traditional festival with headliners and scheduled performers, the people who attend Burning Man create all the activities and art themselves. 

This participatory ethos is one of the "Ten Principles" that guide the Burning Man community.