This man Sold Human Flesh to Strangers
Vladimir Nikolayev was convicted of cannibalism and feeding human meat to strangers, convincing everyone that it was Kangaroo meat.
Vladimir Nikolayev was found guilty of murder and cannibalism in the 1990s. Reflecting the harsh realities of a country struggling with economic and social instability, his actions left Russia in pure shock. More than just a cannibal-murderer, Nikolayev capitalized on his crimes as well.
Socioeconomic Background
Contextualizing Vladimir Nikolayev’s early life in the broader context of the Soviet Union’s imminent collapse is essential. His actions occurred in a period characterized by widespread economic hardship and social instability, as Russia attempted to come to terms with the turmoil of its communist past.
Rapidly, the country transformed from a planned economy to a market economy. This led to severe economic disparities and affected society at large. Unemployment was rampant and there was a general decline in the living standards for most of the population.
In this environment, resorting to alcohol and other drugs to cope with societal pressures became the norm. Nikolayev was known to be antisocial and had a history of alcoholism and petty…
