Lukoil VP Vitaly Robertus Dies, Marking Fourth Top Manager Death Amid Ukraine Conflict

"We regret to announce the sudden passing of Vice President Vitaly Vladimirovich Robertus at the age of 54," a statement from Lukoil said. The company did not disclose the cause of his death.

Robertus had dedicated 30 years of his career to Lukoil, initially joining as an economist immediately after completing his studies. The company highlighted in a press release that Robertus had "earned respect within the industry." It further mentioned, "He was awarded state and departmental honors for his achievements in advancing the national fuel and energy complex."

This incident adds to the list of high-profile deaths at Lukoil. In October of the previous year, 66-year-old president Vladimir Niekrasov died. According to the newspaper "Kommersant," the cause of his "sudden death" was described as acute heart failure.

In early September 2022, Lukoil's then vice-president Ravil Maganov died after falling from a sixth-floor window of the Central Clinical Hospital in Moscow, as reported by the Russian agency Interfax.

In May 2022, Alexander Subbotin, also associated with Lukoil like Maganov, died under unusual circumstances. Reportedly involved in shamanic sessions outside Moscow, Subbotin felt ill during one of them and subsequently passed away.