Russian Energy Company Executive's 9th 'Suspicious Death' This Year

Russian President Vladimir Putin is presiding over a cabinet meeting via video conference at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow on the 10th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Amid a series of mysterious accidents and suicides among Russian energy industry entrepreneurs this year, the ninth death has been reported, according to major foreign media on the 14th (local time).

The Russian Far East Arctic Development Corporation (KRDV) announced in a statement on the 12th that Ivan Pechorin (39), an executive director, had died. Russian news agency RIA Novosti also reported that his body was found near the village of Beregovoye, close to Vladivostok.

According to local media, Pechorin went missing after falling into the sea while boating near Russky Island, south of Vladivostok, on the 10th, two days prior. Including Pechorin, a total of nine Russian business figures have died suddenly this year.

Among the deceased, six had direct ties to two major Russian energy companies. Of these six, four were affiliated with the Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom and its subsidiaries, while the remaining two were from Lukoil, Russia's largest private oil and gas company.

Shortly after the outbreak of the Ukraine war in early March, Lukoil issued a statement expressing condolences for the victims and called for a ceasefire and dialogue, which drew scrutiny from authorities.

KRDV, where Pechorin worked, is also involved in developing energy resources such as mineral resources and high-energy fuels in Russia's Far East region. Pechorin had attended the 7th Eastern Economic Forum held in Vladivostok from the 5th to the 8th, discussing Far East development issues, where President Vladimir Putin was also reportedly present.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.