The Death Of Russia's Executive 'Indicted' Added That The Boss Of The Oil Company Died Fell From The Hospital Window

Illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/Tony total)

JAKARTA - Ravil Maganov, chairman of Russia's second-largest oil producer, died on Thursday after falling from a hospital window in Moscow, two sources familiar with the situation said.

Maganov's death, the latest in a series of sudden deaths experienced by Russian businessmen, could not immediately explain the cause.

The source confirmed reports by several Russian media that the 67-year-old fell to death, but circumstances surrounding his fall were unclear.

Two people who knew Maganov well told Reuters they believed it was highly unlikely he would commit suicide.

Another source close to the company said there was trust in Lukoil's management, he had committed suicide, but he had not seen evidence or documents to support him.

Asked by Reuters if they investigated the death as suspicious, Moscow police referred the question to the State Investigation Committee. The committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Lukoil said in a statement Maganov had "died after a serious illness".

"Thousands of Lukoil employees are deeply saddened by this sad loss and express their sincere condolences to Ravil Maganov's family," he said.

Previously, a number of senior executives linked to the Russian energy industry, died suddenly in unclear circumstances in recent months.

The day after Russia sent its troops to Ukraine in February, a Gazprom executive, Alexander Tyulakov, was found dead in his garage near St Petersburg, Russian media reported.

In April, Sergei Protocolnya, a former top manager of Russia's largest liquefied natural gas producer Novatek, was found dead along with his wife and daughter at a villa in Spain.

Catalan regional police, who investigated the case, said they believed he killed his wife and children before committing suicide.

In May, Russian media reported a former Lukoil manager, Alexander Subbotin, was found dead in the basement of a house outside Moscow.

That same month, Russian media said that Vladislav Avayev, former vice president of Gazprombank, was found dead in an apartment in Moscow, as well as with the bodies of his wife and daughter.

It is known, Maganov has worked in Lukoil since 1993, shortly after the company was founded. He oversaw his screening, production and exploration, becoming chairman in 2020.

Unlike usual among Russian companies, Lukoil took a stand against Moscow's intervention in Ukraine. In a statement March 3, the board of directors of the company expressed concern over the tragic events in Ukraine, calling for "as soon as possible an end to armed conflict" through negotiations.