In 2021, the virologist was awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland in recognition of his work on the COVID vaccine. The Sputnik V vaccine was developed by 18 scientists in 2020, including Botikov.
According to a report in Russian media on Saturday, Andrey Botikov, one of the scientists who contributed to the creation of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V, was strangled with a belt at his apartment here. Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder.

According to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, Botikov, 47, who worked as a senior researcher at the Gamaleya National Research Center for Ecology and Mathematics, was found dead in his apartment on Thursday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin respected the virologist with the Request for Legitimacy for the Mother country grant for his work on the Coronavirus antibody in 2021. Botikov was one of 18 researchers who fostered the Sputnik V antibody in 2020, as per reports.
In a Telegram statement, the Russian committee, the investigating authority, stated that his death is being investigated as a murder.

Investigators say that Botikov was strangled with a belt during an argument and then fled. According to the report, law enforcement agencies determined that the murder was the result of a conflict and was a domestic offense.

The statement stated that the federal investigation agency made the arrest of the suspect shortly after the body of Botikov was discovered.

Shortly after, the attacker’s location was discovered. He pleaded guilty during the interrogation and was charged. Due to the fact that he was tried for a serious crime, the defendant has a criminal record.

The Investigative Committee stated, “The investigation plans to petition the court to place the defendant in custody pending trial.”