War In Ukraine: Surprising Deaths Of Russian Oligarchs Are Piling Up

By Vincent Bussow
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Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, reports of the deaths of Russian oligarchs have been increasing in Russia: in many cases, there are doubts about the official version.

MOSCOW – The deaths of two Russian oligarchs are currently causing a worldwide sensation. Sergei Protosenya and Vladislav Avayev were found dead within 24 hours along with several family members. While the wives and daughters of the oligarchs were apparently murdered, Protosenya and Avayev have evidence of suicide.

For the responsible investigators, there is therefore the suspicion of prolonged suicide in the room. However, the timing of the cases casts doubt on this theory, with several Russian oligarchs dying in similar circumstances this year.

War in Ukraine: Suicides between Russian oligarchs are a mystery

Suspicions of suicide by Russian oligarchs have increased, particularly since the start of the war in Ukraine on February 24. A day after the invasion, top Gazprom official Alexander Tyuljakov was found dead in his country house near St. Petersburg, according to Newsweek.

Vladimir Putin at the Orthodox Easter celebration in Moscow. (photo of symbol)

A note next to his body also indicated suicide in this case. However, in the course of the forensic investigation, the crime scene was taken over by Gazprom security and the police excluded. The information was released by an investigator of the case.

War in Ukraine: Deaths of Russia’s oligarchs are piling up

A few days later, on February 28, the body of another Russian billionaire was found. Mikhail Watford apparently hanged himself. The 66-year-old Ukrainian-born energy tycoon lived in the UK. When investigating Watford’s death, British police found no evidence of outside interference. The alleged suicide of billionaire Vassili Melnikov, which became known on March 24, is more similar to the two most recent cases. Melnikov was found dead with his wife and two children, with the murder weapon found at the scene.

Sergei Protosenya: former director of Novatek, a Russian energy company; Found on April 19
Vladislav Avayev: former vice president of Gazprombank; Found on April 18
Vasily Melnikov: owner of Medstom, a Russian pharmaceutical company; Found March 24
Mikhail Watford: owners of several Russian energy companies; Found on Feb 28
Alexandre Tyulyakov: Deputy General Manager of Gazprom; Found on Feb 25
Leonid Shulman: top manager at Gazprom; found in january

Even before Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine, there were similar mysterious deaths of Russian oligarchs. Gazprom’s top manager, Leonid Shulman, was found dead in the Leningrad region in January, according to Newsweek. A message suggesting suicide was also found here, although Gazprom itself has announced that it is investigating the case.

War in Ukraine: Death of Russian oligarch – police also investigate foreign interference

So far, it is only known in the case of Sergei Protosenya that the police included outside interference in their investigations. Thus, the family could have been murdered, with the crime scene later staged to look like a suicide. In some of the deaths, there is also the consideration that severe Western sanctions against Russia could have been the reason for the alleged suicides. (vbu)

In general, we do not report suicides, lest such cases encourage potential imitators. Whistleblowing only takes place if the circumstances receive special public attention. If you or someone you know is suffering from an existential crisis or depression, contact the counseling service by phone: 0800-1110111. Help with depression and other psychological emergencies is also available at www.deutsche-depressionshilfe.de. The Frankfurt Crisis Service also offers assistance by calling 069-611375. More information can be found on the website www.bsf-frankfurt.de.