Russian "Werewolf" Claims Further Victims: Serial Killer Mikhail Popkov Admits to Additional Murders
Infamous Russian serial killer Mikhail Popkov, known as "The Werewolf" and the "Angarsk Maniac" has confessed to more killings, bringing his confirmed total to 90
In April 2024, Tales From the Underworld covered the gruesome story of Mikhail Popkov. Known as “The Werewolf,” Popkov is Russia’s most infamous serial killer.
Update
In April 2025, Russia’s most notorious serial killer, 61-year-old Mikhail Popkov, known as “The Werewolf,” confessed to a previously unsolved 2011 murder in a park in Angarsk.
This followed his confession in 2023 to three additional previously unsolved murders. This new admission now brings his confirmed victim count to 90, though officials believe the actual number is closer to 200.
Murder of Tatyana S
According to Popkov, he met the victim, identified as Tatyana S, in 2011 by chance while riding his bicycle in a park near an abandoned water pump station. The two began a conversation, which then turned into an argument.
Popkov struck the woman with a small axe that he was carrying, and after pushing her to the ground, doused her with a solvent before throwing a lit match onto her. As the woman’s body went up in flames, Popkov tossed the axe in the nearby grass and took off on his bike.
The case had remained unsolved since the victim’s remains were discovered in 2011. Popkov had no connection to the victim and was never a suspect in the murder. However, he admitted his guilt and testified to his involvement. He was transferred from his high-security prison to assist officials in the investigation process.
It has been said that the motive for his confessions is to get better conditions while in prison, and for him to be allowed out of his cell while assisting investigators.
Because Popkov is already serving two life sentences, he has nothing to lose by implicating himself in additional murders. In 2023, he confessed to three murders in the Irkutsk region of Siberia. The three women were aged 25, 27, and 31. One of the victims had, like Tatyana, been set on fire.
“The Werewolf”
Following his 2015 arrest and conviction, Mikhail Popkov became known as “The Werewolf” for the brutal ways he killed and mutilated his victims. All of his victims were female, and many were sexually assaulted before being killed with hammers, axes, knives, screwdrivers, and other tools.
Popkov worked as a police officer, which enabled him to gain the trust of many of his victims. He would frequently lure them by offering rides in his police car. In 2015, he was convicted of 22 murders, and then an additional 56 in 2018. However, he has confessed to several other murders for which he was not convicted.
The timeline for his crimes was believed to have been between 1992 and 2010. However, his latest admission to the murder of Tatyana in 2011 has now expanded it.
Criminal Pathology
Popkov told investigators that his motive for the killings was to “cleanse Angarsk of prostitutes.” During a psychiatric evaluation, Popkov was diagnosed as having “Homicidal Mania,” an irrational desire to kill someone. Despite this, Popkov was declared sane before being tried and convicted for his crimes.
In court, he told the judge that he could not remember how many victims he killed, “I can’t say exactly, I didn’t keep a record.” He admitted his guilt in full.
In 2023, Popkov, also known as the “Angarsk Maniac,” was interviewed by Russian state television. During the interview, Popkov stated his desire to fight on the front lines of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“Taking into consideration my military specialization, I think it’s in quite high demand now.” It is unclear what he meant by this since he has not previously served in the military and has only worked as a police officer and a security guard.
So far, his request has been denied, though it has been reported that some prisoners have received pardons in exchange for their service with the controversial Wagner Group.
Sources:
Stewart, Will & Hanlon, Tim. “Moment Russia’s worst serial killer confesses to axing 90th female victim.” Mirror UK, 12 April 2025, https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/moment-russias-worst-serial-killer-35044244
Cole, Brendan. “Russian Serial Killer Who Murdered 80 Women Volunteers for Ukraine Front.” Newsweek, 20 January 2023, https://www.newsweek.com/russia-ukraine-serial-killer-murder-volunteer-popkov-1774546
Roth, Andrew. “Russian serial killer convicted of 56 more murders.” The Guardian, 10 December 2018, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/10/russias-worst-serial-killer-jailed-for-life-mikhail-popkov