An Italian-based influencer has died at the age of 38 after undergoing cosmetic surgery, according to reports from Russian media.
Yulia Burtseva, a Russian-born content creator with over 70,000 followers, reportedly passed away after a £4,000 butt-lift procedure carried out at a private clinic in Moscow. The mother of one is said to have suffered a sudden medical emergency shortly after receiving injections during the operation. Efforts to save her life were unsuccessful.
Just hours before the procedure, Burtseva shared what would become her final Instagram post. The video, filmed at Moscow’s upscale Pushkin Café on January 4, showed her smiling and relaxed while having breakfast on the day of the surgery.
She had travelled to Moscow from Italy—where she lived with her Italian husband and young daughter—one day before the operation. The procedure was reportedly performed at a branch of Elmas Clinic on Tokmakov Lane in the Russian capital.
Emergency sources cited by local outlet MSK1 said her condition worsened rapidly after the surgery, with reports suggesting she suffered an anaphylactic reaction. She was rushed to hospital but could not be revived.
Authorities have since opened a criminal investigation into her death. If found guilty of negligence, medical staff involved could face up to three years in prison. Investigators have visited the clinic, seized documents, and ordered several forensic and medical examinations.
The clinic’s director, Govhar Abdyllaeva, was reportedly unreachable for comment at the time of filing.
Born in Samara, Russia, Burtseva later relocated to Italy, where she married her husband, Giuseppe, about five years ago. On her blog, she often shared light-hearted content about life in a multicultural family, celebrating Italian family values and posting videos featuring her husband, daughter, and mother-in-law.
She had also previously documented experiences with medical tourism, including a trip to Turkey for dental treatment, which she promoted on her platform.