Charity founder Elena Malysheva dies in Gulf of Finland storm

Elena Malysheva, 46, founder of the charitable knitting club "28 Loops" (28 петель), died on July 11 during a stand-up paddleboard outing in the Gulf of Finland near St. Petersburg. She and a companion were caught in a sudden severe storm with strong winds and high waves that prevented them from returning to shore. Malysheva's body was recovered the same evening; her companion was found the following day. According to Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry, a powerful thunderstorm front with hurricane-force winds swept through the Leningrad region on the night of July 11–12.

A farewell ceremony and funeral service will be held on July 17 at 2:30 p.m. on Mikhailovskaya Street in Lomonosov, Leningrad Oblast. Malysheva's mother, Valeria Malysheva, requested that mourners bring no more than two flowers and avoid large bouquets. The ceremony will run until 3:00 p.m., followed by a liturgy of the departed (отпевание) until 3:30 p.m. Malysheva will be cremated, with burial scheduled for July 18 or 19 in the village of Kokvitsy in Ust-Vym District, Komi Republic.

Born and raised in Komi, Malysheva worked in media and advertising in Syktyvkar before founding "28 Loops" approximately ten years ago. The charitable club united volunteer craftswomen from across Komi Republic to knit clothing, blankets, and comfort toys from natural yarn for premature infants at the Komi Republic Children's Hospital. After relocating to St. Petersburg several years ago, she continued managing the project. She leaves behind two adult children. Her family is seeking financial support; contributions can be made to a friend's card via phone number +79042705323 (available through Alfa-Bank, Sber, and T-Bank).