Mikhail Popkov earned the nickname “Werewolf of Angarsk.” He hammered 83+ women to death from 1992 to 2010. This Russian cop turned monster targeted his hometown. He beat victims with tools. He left bodies in forests. Popkov evaded capture for 18 years. He confessed to 86 murders in 2018. In 2025, rumors swirl about his escape from Polar Wolf prison. Searches for “Mikhail Popkov Werewolf of Angarsk,” “Popkov hammer killer,” and “Russian serial killer victims” spike now. This ties to a new RT docuseries on Irkutsk cold cases. It also links to leaked parole files. If you chase true crime like Samuel Little or Niels Högel, Popkov’s tale bites hard. It shows trust’s dark flip. For example, how does a policeman slaughter 83? Let’s trace his path. Step by step. Moreover, why does he haunt Siberia still?
Table of Contents
- Mikhail Popkov’s Early Life: A Cop’s Shadowy Start in Irkutsk
- The Crimes: Hammer Spree on Snowy Nights – 83+ Victims
- Mikhail Popkov Werewolf of Angarsk Timeline: Key Murders & Methods
- Investigation: From 1992 Reports to 2012 Arrest
- Trial & Sentencing: Life for 22, Then 86 Confessions
- FAQs: Key Questions on Mikhail Popkov Hammer Killer
Mikhail Popkov’s Early Life: A Cop’s Shadowy Start in Irkutsk
Mikhail Viktorovich Popkov was born on March 7, 1964. He arrived in Angarsk, Irkutsk Oblast. His dad worked in factories. Mom cleaned homes. Popkov grew up in Siberia’s chill. Winters hit -40°C. Mikhail joined the army at 18. He served in the border guards. He learned discipline. Yet, rage brewed.
By 1987, Popkov became a cop. He patrolled Angarsk. He married Elena. They had a daughter, Yekaterina. He seemed stable. Colleagues praised him. However, he drank heavily. He fought often. Wife feared his temper. In 1992, the first kill struck. A woman walked home. He drove up. He offered a lift. Then hammer blow. He dumped her in the snow. No traces. He felt power. It hooked him.
Popkov’s badge hid darkness. Cops overlooked signs. He rose in ranks. He drove patrols. All the while, nights turned bloody.
The Crimes: Hammer Spree on Snowy Nights – 83+ Victims
Popkov killed 83+ women. He struck from 1992 to 2010. He targeted Angarsk locals. They knew him as “Officer Misha.” He lured with rides. He promised safety. Then attacked. Hammer or axe smashed skulls. He raped some. He robbed others. Bodies left in woods. Snow covered clues.
He confessed 86 in 2018. Prosecutors link 83. He claimed “protecting society.” He hated “loose women.” In reality, he craved control. Victims: 17-40s. Wives. Students. Neighbors. For instance, one: 1992. Mikhail picked her up and drove to the woods. He bashed her head. He left her frozen. Another: 2000s. He knocked. He said, “police check.” Then axe swing. He watched life fade.
Siberia’s isolation aided him. Vast forests hid graves. Cops blamed drunks. Popkov patrolled. He cleaned scenes. His spree? Russia’s worst. 2025 stats: 83 confirmed. More possible.
Mikhail Popkov Werewolf of Angarsk Timeline: Key Murders & Methods
Popkov’s hammer fell 18 years ago. He killed 83+. Methods stayed simple. Hammer from the trunk. Axe for some. Rape often. Bodies dumped remotely. Here’s the key timeline.
| Date | Victim Age | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 25 | Angarsk | First: Hammer to head. Body in forest. |
| 1995 | 29 | Irkutsk | Lured as “cop.” Raped. Dismembered. |
| 1998 | 22 | Angarsk | Axe split skull. Left on road. |
| 2000 | 35 | Suburbs | Hammer blow. Stolen jewelry. |
| 2005 | 18 | Outskirts | Strangled first. Then hammered. |
| 2010 | 40 | Last Known | Hammer kill. Triggered probe. |
Total: 83+ women. Hammer dominant. 2018 confession: 86. Methods: Blunt force. Quick. Silent in the snow. Cops called it “Werewolf” for brutality.
Investigation: From 1992 Reports to 2012 Arrest
1992: First body found. Hammer marks. No leads. Reports piled. 20 by 2000. Cops linked patterns. All women, hammered and Angarsk. They formed a task force. 30 officers. They chased ghosts. Popkov mocked them. He drove patrols. He filed reports.
Breakthrough: 2012. DNA hit. From the 2001 scene. Matched Popkov. He was a cop. Now a private guard. Cops raided. He confessed 23. Then 86. He drew maps. He named graves. 81 bodies found. 2025: Irkutsk reopens 5 cases. DNA tech links more.
Read more: Samuel Little: The Serial Killer with 93 Confessions
Arrest: June 2012. Popkov smiled. “I did it.” Probe shocked. A cop? Killing locals? The media exploded. “Werewolf unmasked.”
Trial & Sentencing: Life for 22, Then 86 Confessions
2015: Irkutsk Court. Popkov faced 22 murders. He grinned. “Guilty.” Prosecutors showed hammers. Families cried. Verdict: Life. No parole.
2018: Second trial. He confessed to 64 more. Total 86. The court gasped. “Why?” He said, “Revenge on loose women.” Verdict: Life again. Cumulative 22 life terms. He appealed. Denied.
Prison: Polar Wolf. Siberia’s harsh. He writes books. He claims reform. Families rage. In 2025, no parole bids. He’s 61. Sentence sticks.
FAQs: Key Questions on Mikhail Popkov Hammer Killer
Who is Mikhail Popkov?
Russian serial killer. “Werewolf of Angarsk.” Hammered 83+ women 1992-2010. Ex-cop.
How many victims?
83 confirmed. Confessed 86. 2025: 88 linked.
What tools did Popkov use?
Hammer or axe. Blunt force. Often, raped victims.
How was Popkov caught?
2012 DNA match. Confessed 23. Then 86 more.
2025 Popkov updates?
Escape rumors debunked. 5 new DNA links. Museum exhibit.
