Ravil Maganov, 67, chairman of Russian oil giant PJSC Lukoil Oil has died under mysterious circumstances in Russia.

The Russian oil and gas company issued a Thursday statement. "It is with deep regret that we inform you that Ravil Maganov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PJSC LUKOIL, passed away after a serious illness." 

"Ravil Ulfatovich made an invaluable contribution not only to the development of the company but to the entire Russian oil and gas industry, " the statement ended without additional details of the death. 

Russian state media claimed that the oligarch died by suicide from falling out a hospital window."He was [getting treated] in the hospital after a heart attack. In addition, he was taking antidepressants," TASS reported on Thursday.

According to Interfax news, "This morning Maganov fell out of a window of the Central Clinical Hospital. He died from his injuries." They reported the oil oligarch fell from the 6th-floor window of the Moscow hospital.

Putin does not comment

President Vladimir Putin's spokesman told reporters that Maganov's death was not a matter for the Kremlin to talk about.

Coincidently, Mikhail Gorbachev, the country's head of state before Putin, passed away earlier this week in the same hospital. Putin reportedly did not attend his funeral.

Lukoil Oil “Anti War” Statement

What is not in dispute is that Maganov died about 6 months after the firm’s board issued a public press release. In the March statement, they ask for a quick ending to the Russian conflict with Ukraine. The Lukoil board called for an "immediate" end to the fighting, expressing its sympathy to those affected by the "tragedy".

"We strongly support a lasting ceasefire and a settlement of problems through serious negotiations and diplomacy.

"The company makes every effort to continue its operations in all countries and regions where it is present, committed to its primary mission of a reliable supplier of energy to consumers around the world. In its activities, Lukoil aspires to contribute to peace, international relations, and humanitarian ties." 

The statement was reportedly viewed as anti-war. And not supportive of Putin and the Kremlin.

Lukoil was one of only a handful of Russian companies to call for an end to the fighting in Ukraine after Moscow invaded in February. Most Russians do not speak up about anything except to parrot state-run journalists.

Putin presented Maganov with the Order of Alexander Nevsky in 2019.

Ravil Maganov had worked as a top manager at Lukoil since 1993. The oil executive’s son Ravil is a popular race car driver. His wife Fania works at the English First language school in Almetyevsk as the principal.

Mysterious deaths hit the Russian oil industry

In the first 6 months of 2022, high-profile managers of Russian energy companies have found themselves in a precarious position. Some have walked away from their jobs. And a number have died in mysterious circumstances.

Close friend and associate of Maganov and Lukoil's founder, billionaire oligarch Vagit Alekperov, stepped down from his position as CEO after he was sanctioned by the U.K. and the EU.

• Leonid Shulman, 60 (Gazprom Invest head of transport) 

• Alexander Tyulakov, 61 (Gazprom finance executive).
• Mikhail (Tolstosheya) Watford, 66 (oil and gas magnate made his fortune from Ukraine oil refineries) 
• Vasily Melnikov (MedStom) 
• Vladislav Avayev, 51 (former vice president of Gazprombank and ex-Kremlin official) 
• Sergei Protosenya (Novatek former deputy chairman) 
• Alexander Subbotin, 43, (Board member of Lukoil and owner of the New Transport Company (NTK) in Finland)
• Yury Voronov (Astra-Shipping oil and gas shipping subsidiary)

In several cases, they died with their families in what appeared to be murder-suicides. In almost every instance the deaths were reported to be suicides. And there is also the case of former Lukoil executive, Alexander Subbotin who died when a shaman treated his depression with a poison toad.

Speculation continues that a purge of Putin critics is ongoing across Russian society. And the Oil and Gas sector is being hit especially hard.