Russian Tycoon Found Dead In Energy Giant Lukoil’s Office Restroom: Report – News18

A prominent figure in the Kremlin-linked energy giant Lukoil was found dead in his office restroom, according to UK media reports. Vitaly Robertus, 53, held the position of vice president within the company. While his death was announced on Wednesday, the exact circumstances surrounding the incident remained undisclosed.

Robertus’s sudden death marks the fifth such incident involving individuals associated with Lukoil since the onset of Vladimir Putin’s military campaign against Ukraine. Speculations have arisen amid a backdrop of mysterious deaths of high-ranking executives within the company. UK’s Daily Mail reported that Robertus had recently expressed his apprehension regarding a potential criminal probe he was facing amid internal turmoil within the US-sanctioned firm.

After a meeting with his boss, Oleg Pashaev, Lukoil’s senior vice president for Sales & Supply, Robertus returned to his office. Concerns arose when he failed to respond to multiple calls from colleagues. Upon Pashaev’s investigation, Robertus was discovered lifeless in his office restroom, the British newspaper reported, citing the Telegram channel VChK-OGPU. A probe into the circumstances surrounding his death has been initiated.

The report also draws attention to the sequence of events within Lukoil, particularly in light of the company’s initial stand against Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. Lukoil’s board, which includes figures such as Vladimir Nekrasov and Ravil Maganov, had expressed concerns over the conflict in Ukraine and advocated for a diplomatic path. Robertus’s passing adds to the string of uncanny incidents involving Lukoil affiliates. The untimely deaths of individuals like Senator Vladimir Lebedev, Lukoil chairman Vladimir Nekrasov, and tycoon Ravil Maganov have fueled speculation and suspicion.