A Russian military colonel closely involved in mobilization for the country's invasion of Ukraine was shot and killed in his office in Vladivostok on Wednesday, The Daily Mail reports.

Colonel Vadim Boyko, 44, was discovered dead from "multiple bullet wounds" in his office at the Makarov Pacific Higher Naval Institute (TOVVMU), where he was deputy director. According to witnesses, Boyko was seen entering his office before "five shots" were heard from inside the room. A subordinate who went to check out the noise discovered Boyko's body. 

Law enforcement reportedly found multiple handguns at the scene of the crime. According to the Daily Mail, initial reports about the death attributed it to suicide. A murder investigation was opened but closed after five days with investigators ruling that Boyko's death was likely suicide.  

Local news outlets said: "This morning, the deputy head of TOVVMU, Vadim Evgenyevich Boyko, shot himself. He came to work and fired a pistol into his temple."

Boyko's death comes soon after the death of Lt. Col. Roman Malyk, another Russian military officer responsible for mobilization efforts. His death was also ruled a suicide after a brief murder investigation.

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