Caucasian mafia head Yanis Yushayev killed in shooting at Caesarea gas station

Yanis Yushayev, the head of the Caucasian mafia, was shot dead outside of a gas station in Caesarea on Sunday.

Video footage of the incident showed Yushayev leaving a restaurant at the gas station before the suspected killer approached him from behind and shot him at close range in the head.

Yushayev collapsed and was taken to the hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead.

A large number of Coastal District police officers were dispatched to the scene to collect evidence and begin an investigation into the killing.

A helicopter was also launched as part of the search for the suspected killer, who has not yet been identified.

Yushayev's suspected involvement in organized crime

According to police and crime figures in the Hadera and Or Akiva areas, over the years, Yushayev developed a network of connections with several prominent figures in the local criminal world, primarily Patrick Krasnopolsky, described as his confidant and "right-hand man," and Osher Shmilov.

Yushayev and Krasnopolsky were arrested in June 2025 on suspicion of involvement in shooting and throwing grenades at businesses in Or Akiva, but they were both released without charge.

In March 2026, Krasnopolsky and Shmilov were arrested on suspicion of attempting to assassinate a rival criminal.

According to police assessments, Yushayev was believed to have had a significant alliance with Eli and Matan Arbiv, who are believed to have controlled organized crime operations in the Hadera area. The police estimated that the parties operated as a joint criminal group in Hadera, Or Akiva, Caesarea, and parts of the Sharon region.