A Russian Nazi fanatic died during an intense police stand-off in Christchurch less than two weeks after the far-right terror attack on two mosques, which left 50 dead.

Troy Dubovskiy, 54, died on Wednesday morning after officers raided his inner city home at St Martins on Tuesday.

According to Dubovskiy's 16-year-old son, police allegedly searched the man's home after the teen posted a new Facebook profile photo days earlier, Stuff reported.

Troy Dubovskiy, 54 (pictured), died on Wednesday morning after officers raided his inner city home at St Martins on Tuesday

The teen claimed the raids were allegedly prompted by someone reporting the photo, which showed him holding a replica rifle and wearing a Russian helmet.

But the 16-year-old claimed he and his father often used the equipment when they played Airsoft - a team sport where people shoot each other with pellet replica guns.

Also in the house at the time of the raid was his father's extensive collection of World War II memorabilia, which contained uniforms, pounces and helmets.

A former neighbour described Dubovskiy as an 'intimidating and cold' person and alleged he displayed behaviour, such as Nazi salutes, which made was unnerving.

'My first interaction with him as a neighbour was when my friend parked legally outside his house on the street and we came back and there had been messages written all over the car in permanent marker warning us not to park outside their house,' the man claimed.

Dubovskiy, who moved to New Zealand in 1997, was a former Russian soldier, who had previously appeared in court several times for various alleged firearm offences.

On one occasion, it's alleged he was found wearing commando-style attire, including boots, a wig and black leather gloves, the publication reported.

Dubovskiy's son said at the time of the raid, his father's extensive collection of World War II memorabilia, which contained uniforms, pouches and helmets, was in the house

Mr Dubovskiy has been described as a Nazi fanatic, who had a vast collection of World War II memorabilia (similar to objects pictured)

He was also jailed in 2000 after he was arrested for burglary, after the homeowners returned home to find him there with an imitation pistol.

At the time of the incident, his lawyer, Alister James, told the court his client was in fact suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder due to his experiences in Crimea.

He had also previously been jailed for six months in 1999 for possessing two imitation pistols, driving while disqualified, and assaulting a police officer.

Counsel Michael Knowles said at the time he believed Dubovskiy was more of a danger to himself than to others - but 'pretty soon he will get shot by the police'.

On another occasion, Dubovskiy was jailed for nine months for failing to stop for a police car, reckless driving, refusing to give a blood sample, possession of offensive weapons, carrying an imitation firearm, and driving while disqualified.

When police managed to finally get him to stop, he was allegedly dressed in commando-style gear and was carrying a balaclava, baton, imitation pistol, hunting knife and a type of screwdriver tool.