The murder of Grigori Rasputin, a mystic and confidant to the Russian royal family, remains one of the most notorious events in Russian history. Rasputin’s influence over Tsar Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra was deeply resented by many in Russian high society, especially during the turbulent years leading up to the Russian Revolution.

A group of Russian aristocrats and political figures conspired to assassinate him, believing that his death would save the monarchy and prevent further destabilization of the Russian Empire. However, Rasputin’s assassination on December 30, 1916, became legendary not only for its dramatic nature but for the curious mix of personalities involved and the bizarre circumstances of his death.

The Role of Rasputin

To understand why Rasputin was targeted, it’s important to grasp his significance at the time. Grigori Rasputin was a Siberian peasant who gained a reputation as a mystic and healer. In 1905, he was introduced to Tsar Nicholas II and his wife, Empress Alexandra, who were desperate for someone to cure their son, Alexei, who suffered from hemophilia. Rasputin appeared to ease the boy’s suffering, which earned him the deep trust and devotion of the Empress. Over time, Rasputin’s influence over the royal family grew, particularly with Alexandra, which alarmed many in the Russian aristocracy and government.

Rasputin’s closeness to the royal family made him a scapegoat for the monarchy’s failures. He was viewed as a symbol of the corruption and incompetence that plagued Nicholas II’s reign, especially during World War I when Russia was suffering from defeats and economic hardship. Many believed Rasputin had a direct influence over key decisions, particularly through Alexandra, who was seen as overly reliant on his advice. The rumors of his immoral behavior and supposed control over the Tsarina further fueled his notoriety and vilification among the nobility and the broader Russian public.

By late 1916, with Russia on the brink of collapse, a group of aristocrats, politicians, and military figures decided that Rasputin’s death was essential to save the country.

The Assassins

The conspiracy to kill Rasputin was led by Prince Felix Yusupov, one of the richest men in Russia, and Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich, a cousin of Tsar Nicholas II. They were joined by Vladimir Purishkevich, a conservative member of the Duma (Russian parliament), who was also a fervent critic of Rasputin.

Prince Felix Yusupov

Felix Yusupov was an aristocrat from one of the wealthiest families in Russia. He married Princess Irina Alexandrovna, the Tsar’s niece, which further connected him to the royal family. Yusupov was known for his flamboyant lifestyle and association with high society, but by 1916, he had become convinced that Rasputin’s influence over the royal family was not only damaging the monarchy but also jeopardizing the future of Russia. He took on the role of the key planner and orchestrator of the assassination plot, offering his palace in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) as the site for Rasputin’s murder.

Yusupov later wrote an account of the assassination in his memoirs, though some of his details have been questioned over the years. Nonetheless, he remains the most prominent figure associated with Rasputin’s murder.

Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich

Dmitri Pavlovich was a close relative of the Tsar, which gave him access to the royal family and court life. Like Yusupov, Dmitri was concerned about Rasputin’s influence over Alexandra and her decisions, which many believed had dire consequences for Russia. His aristocratic status and familial connections made him an important figure in the conspiracy. Dmitri Pavlovich’s participation was also significant because it gave the plot some legitimacy within the Romanov family, suggesting that even those close to the Tsar were losing patience with Rasputin.

Vladimir Purishkevich

Vladimir Purishkevich was a conservative politician and a member of the Duma, known for his staunch support of the monarchy but his equally staunch opposition to Rasputin. Purishkevich had been vocal about Rasputin’s negative impact on Russia and the royal family, believing that the mystic’s influence was undermining the monarchy’s credibility. Purishkevich provided both ideological motivation and the political connection to the Duma, where anti-Rasputin sentiments were widespread.

The Assassination

The plan to kill Rasputin was devised by Yusupov, Dmitri, and Purishkevich with the belief that removing Rasputin would help sever his influence over the Tsarina and, in turn, save the monarchy from its association with his corrupt reputation. The plot was set into motion in late December 1916, when Yusupov invited Rasputin to his Moika Palace under the pretext of a private party where Rasputin would meet Yusupov’s wife, Irina (who was, in fact, not present).

The night of December 29–30, 1916, Rasputin arrived at Yusupov’s palace. The conspirators had prepared a series of fatal measures to ensure Rasputin’s death:

Poisoned Cakes and Wine

Yusupov and his accomplices planned to kill Rasputin by poisoning him with cyanide-laced cakes and wine. Rasputin consumed both but appeared unaffected by the poison, much to the shock of Yusupov and his fellow conspirators.

Shooting

When the poison failed to kill Rasputin, Yusupov retrieved a revolver and shot him at close range. Rasputin collapsed, seemingly dead. However, when Yusupov went to check the body, Rasputin suddenly revived and attempted to escape. In the ensuing chaos, Purishkevich shot Rasputin again, this time hitting him in the back as he fled toward the palace courtyard.

Beating and Drowning

Despite being shot multiple times, Rasputin continued to struggle. According to Yusupov’s account, the group beat him before finally wrapping his body in a carpet and dumping it into the frozen Neva River. When Rasputin’s body was recovered several days later, his hands were found to be partially freed from his bonds, leading to speculation that he may have been alive when he was thrown into the river.

Aftermath and Legacy

The murder of Rasputin sent shockwaves through Russian society. While some celebrated his death, believing that his influence over the royal family had come to an end, the assassination did little to stabilize Russia. In fact, it may have contributed to the further weakening of the monarchy. Tsarina Alexandra was devastated by Rasputin’s death, and her grief further alienated her from the public and the political elite.

In the years following the murder, Rasputin’s life and death became the subject of fascination and myth. His reputation as a mystical figure who wielded extraordinary influence over the royal family has continued to capture the popular imagination.

Shortly after Rasputin’s death, the February Revolution of 1917 led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the collapse of the Romanov dynasty. The provisional government that replaced the monarchy was itself overthrown in the October Revolution of 1917, which brought the Bolsheviks to power. Rasputin’s assassination, while intended to save the monarchy, ultimately came too late to prevent the revolution and the end of imperial Russia.

In the years following the murder, Rasputin’s life and death became the subject of fascination and myth. His reputation as a mystical figure who wielded extraordinary influence over the royal family has continued to capture the popular imagination. The details of his assassination—particularly the seeming difficulty in killing him—have contributed to the legend of Rasputin as a man who possessed supernatural powers.

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The Fate of the Assassins

The assassins faced varying consequences after Rasputin’s death:

• Prince Felix Yusupov: Yusupov was exiled to his family’s estate following the murder. After the Russian Revolution, Yusupov fled to Europe, eventually settling in Paris. He lived a relatively quiet life in exile, though he wrote memoirs recounting the assassination, further cementing his place in history. Yusupov spent the rest of his life defending his role in Rasputin’s murder and died in 1967.
• Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich: Dmitri Pavlovich was also exiled after the assassination. He was sent to the Persian front of World War I, where he narrowly avoided the fate of many Romanovs who were executed during the revolution. Like Yusupov, Dmitri later fled Russia, living in exile in Europe. He eventually married an American heiress, Audrey Emery, and lived in Paris until his death in 1942.
• Vladimir Purishkevich: After Rasputin’s death, Purishkevich remained involved in Russian politics, but his influence waned following the February Revolution of 1917. During the Russian Civil War, Purishkevich supported the White Army against the Bolsheviks. He eventually fled to Moldova, where he died in 1920.

Myths and Controversies

The murder of Rasputin has been the subject of numerous myths and conspiracy theories, many of which stem from the strange circumstances surrounding his death. One persistent myth is that Rasputin was almost impossible to kill, surviving the poisoning, multiple gunshots, and drowning. While these dramatic elements have made their way into popular culture, modern forensic analyses of Rasputin’s body suggest that he likely died from the gunshot wounds, and there is no conclusive evidence that he was alive when he was thrown into the river.

Another controversy surrounds the role of British intelligence in Rasputin’s death. Some historians have speculated that British agents may have been involved in the assassination, motivated by concerns that Rasputin’s influence over the royal family was leading Russia toward a separate peace with Germany during World War I. However, while intriguing, there is no definitive proof of British involvement in the plot.

Conclusion

The assassination of Grigori Rasputin was a desperate attempt by a group of aristocrats and politicians to prevent further damage to the Russian monarchy. While they succeeded in killing Rasputin, they failed to achieve their larger goal of saving the Romanov dynasty.

Rasputin’s death remains one of the most infamous and mysterious assassinations in history, with his larger-than-life persona and strange death continuing to fuel intrigue and speculation to this day. The men responsible for his death, including Prince Felix Yusupov, Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich, and Vladimir Purishkevich, were convinced that they were acting in Russia’s best interest, but their actions ultimately did little to alter the course of the revolution that followed.