The intensive search and rescue operation for 56-year-old Russian businessman Vladislav Baumgertner has been suspended for the day as torrential rain and adverse weather conditions batter the Limassol district. Authorities announced that the large-scale mission is expected to resume at first light tomorrow, Monday, January 12.
Before the suspension, a significant force comprising Police units, Civil Defence search and rescue teams, and volunteers—supported by a helicopter and drones—had been scouring the Pissouri area. This location became the focus of the investigation after the missing man’s mobile phone signal was last tracked to a steep, rugged coastal area in the region.
Chronology of the Disappearance
Vladislav Baumgertner was last seen leaving his residence in Limassol on January 7, 2026. An employee later reported him missing after he failed to respond to multiple phone calls. On Saturday, January 10, specialized teams under the coordination of Limassol Search and Rescue chief Michalis Mouskallis conducted searches in the treacherous terrain of Pissouri. Today, January 11, the search was expanded to include aerial assets but was ultimately halted by the arrival of a heavy storm front moving across the island.
Description and Profile
The missing man is identified as VLADISLAV BAUMGERTNER, aged 56. He is described as being approximately 1.90 meters tall, of slim build, with grey hair. At the time of his disappearance, he was reportedly wearing a black T-shirt and black short trousers.
Baumgertner is a high-profile figure who previously served as the CEO of the Russian potash giant Uralkali. He gained international attention in 2013 when he was arrested in Minsk, Belarus, following a high-stakes corporate dispute involving the Belarusian Potash Company. His arrest led to a diplomatic standoff between Russia and Belarus before he was eventually transferred to Russian custody and later released. Foreign media reports indicate that his past legal troubles in Russia and Belarus remain a point of interest for authorities investigating his current disappearance.