Alexander Kuzmenko, father of Pittsburgh Penguins winger Andrei Kuzmenko, was killed in a bear attack while visiting Russia’s Tuva Republic, reportedly on a fishing trip, according to Ren.tv. He suffered severe facial injuries, and doctors could not save him.
A ban was put in place along the Bolshoy Yenisey River, where the fishing trip was taking place, a few days before the attack after increased reports of bears approaching the forested area.
Ren.tv described 2026 as a record year for bear attacks on people in Russia, reporting at least 15 deaths in surrounding areas. Experts cited a poor harvest of berries and pine nuts in the taiga, saying bears were moving toward populated areas, landfills, summer cottages and farms for food before hibernation.
