Nikita Zezin, a 67-year-old corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and director of the Ural Federal Agrarian Research Center, died on July 22 after being beaten by two men whose children he had confronted for riding ATVs over experimental fields, according to the Sverdlovsk Legislative Assembly deputy Vyacheslav Vegner and local media.

The incident occurred on July 13. Zezin and his deputy Alexander Shanin were inspecting experimental fields when they noticed a group of children aged 8–10 riding ATVs over the crops and getting stuck in mud. Zezin took the children's phone, called their parents, and arranged to drive the children to the institute to hand them over.

Around 6:00 p.m., four SUVs arrived at the institute. According to Vegner, two men got out of one vehicle. One introduced himself as 'Arkasha' and, swearing, struck Zezin in the head. Vegner wrote that the men then kicked Zezin repeatedly. The children watched, Vegner claimed, 'cheerfully shouting in delight at the actions of the enraged father.' After Zezin lost consciousness, the attackers turned on Shanin, beating him and spitting in his face, calling him a combat veteran.

Zezin died nine days later. According to Vegner, his heart gave out. Telegram channel '112' published video of the conflict and reported that Zezin died in hospital from a heart attack. Zezin's son Kirill told E1.ru that the exact cause of death had not yet been determined, but relatives believed the beating undermined his health. Zezin had filed a police complaint before his death.

The Investigative Committee for Sverdlovsk Region opened a criminal case, though the specific article was not disclosed. Investigators identified the participants and brought one in for questioning. Investigative Committee head Alexander Bastrykin took personal control of the case. A forensic medical examination has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death and its link to the attack.

The attackers also filed a police complaint, according to Baza, claiming that Zezin and Shanin had kidnapped and beaten the children. There is no independent confirmation of these allegations.

A farewell ceremony for Zezin was held on July 27. He was buried at the Siberian Cemetery. A week before his death, Zezin was awarded the 'For Services to Sverdlovsk Region' distinction, second degree, and in April 2026 he was posthumously awarded the National P.A. Stolypin Prize 'Agrarian Elite of Russia.'