A tragic case out of Moscow, Russia, has led to criminal charges after Italian influencer Yulia Burtseva died following a buttock augmentation surgery performed by an unlicensed plastic surgeon.
According to PEOPLE, Burtseva,38, who had more than 73,000 Instagram followers, underwent the procedure on January 4 at a private clinic in Moscow. Hours later, she suffered a severe anaphylactic reaction and was rushed to the hospital, where she died shortly after.
The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation for Moscow opened a criminal case on January 5, citing suspicion of death by negligence due to improper performance of professional duties.
Surgeon Reportedly Unlicensed and Faces Prison Time
Authorities confirmed that the surgeon who performed the cosmetic surgery did not possess a valid medical degree or professional license. The unnamed doctor is now facing up to three years in prison if convicted of the charges.
Investigators say the surgeon’s lack of proper credentials and potential negligence during the operation were direct factors in Burtseva’s death. The private clinic where the surgery occurred is now under review for licensing violations and safety compliance.
Final Moments Shared on Instagram
Yulia Burtseva was a lifestyle and family content creator who frequently posted travel, fashion, and wellness updates from her life in Naples, Italy. Her final Instagram post, shared on the morning of her surgery, was a short video captioned:
“Good morning Moscow.”
Fans flooded her comment section with condolences after learning of her death, expressing shock that such a routine cosmetic procedure turned fatal.
The Investigative Committee of Russia is continuing to probe how an unqualified individual was allowed to perform surgery at a licensed private clinic. Officials are also investigating how the facility handled the medical emergency and whether the use of unauthorized anesthetics or equipment played a role in Burtseva’s death.
