Mysterious Secret Relationship; Russian History Specialist, 63, Mutilate His Younger Lover, 24

News24xx.com - A Russian historian has admitted killing his young lover before mutilating her body.

Professor Oleg Sokolov was arrested yesterday on suspicion of murder. He was dragged from the frozen river while carrying two arms that had been cut off in his backpack.

The young woman - identified by police sources as Anastasia Yeschenko, 24, is a Sokolov student at St Petersburg State University.

Students at the university described Sokolov as a 'strange person', because he often made the impression of Napoleon and would call his lover 'Josephine'.

Sokolov's lawyer, Alexander Pochuev, said that Sokolov "had admitted his mistake" and regretted his actions.

Sokolov was reportedly drunk and fell when he tried to dispose parts of his girlfriend's body.

After disposing of his body, he reportedly planned to commit suicide at Peter and Paul Fortress, one of the most famous landmarks of the former imperial capital, dressed as Napoleon.

People view their relationship as a public secret.

A former student also claimed that Sokolov was dedicated to his work but he was emotionally unstable and an alcoholic.

He was dragged from the cold Moyka River in St. Petersburg in the early hours of Saturday morning.

In his backpack there were two women's arms cut off at the elbows and a gun.

Horrific bodies and severed heads were found in his closest apartment in Moyka Embankment, the report said.

Sokolov is a leading Russian expert on the Napoleonic Wars and is a professor at St Petersburg State University.

He is famous for reviving the history of Napoleon.

In addition, Sokolov is also the author of books about the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

He acted as a historical consultant on several films and participated in the playback of the history of the Napoleonic wars.

Both he and his girlfriend study French history and like to wear period costumes, with Sokolov dressing up as Napoleon.

Sokolov is president of the Russian Military History Association and is now a member of the body's scientific council.