Mikhail Rogachev.Photo: Ros.media
On 19 October, Mikhail Rogachev, a former vice president of the Yukos oil company, was found dead in Moscow . The 64-year-old businessman’s body was found in the yard of his house on Protopopovsky Lane. The preliminary cause of death is believed to be a fall from a window. The main version put forward by the investigation is suicide due to cancer and fatigue from living in conditions of personal suffering, TimeUkraineIsrael portal reports.
Suicide: the main version of death
Russian law enforcement officials note that Rogachev left a suicide note in which he admitted that he could no longer fight the disease. It is also reported that he sent a message to his sister, in which he admitted to the deterioration of his condition. Investigators are continuing to check the circumstances of the tragedy, but the main version of the death is now suicide. This case has become another mirror of deep personal and systemic problems within Russian society.
Career path in Russian business
Mikhail Rogachev has had a brilliant career in Russian business. Having graduated from the Moscow Institute of Steel and Alloys, he later studied at the London Business School. His career developed rapidly: from 1998 to 1999, he was CEO of the Yukos Engineering Centre, and then served as Vice President for Corporate Management. He played a key role in introducing IT reforms in the company, which was an important part of its modernisation.
However, after the collapse of Yukos and the prosecution of key figures in the company, Rogachev was forced to move to other positions. He held senior positions in companies such as Norilsk Nickel and the ONEXIM investment group, but even his success in these positions could not protect him from personal tragedy.
A system that devours its leaders
The story of Rogachev is not an isolated case among the Russian elite. It illustrates the dangers of a system built on corruption, repression and fear. Many business and political figures who were once pillars of the regime are falling victim to the same system. Constant control, pressure and fear of reprisals create conditions in which even the most successful people find themselves trapped with no way out.
This system threatens not only its victims at home, but also the entire world order. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is a direct continuation of this policy – expansionism that seeks to maintain control over its neighbours and destabilise international norms. The story of Rogachev is yet another proof that this system has no future, and it is necessary for everyone who supports democratic values to fight it.
Ukraine and the struggle for freedom
For Ukraine, the death of figures like Rogachev is of particular importance. It is a reminder that winning the war with Russia is not only a struggle for territory, but also for a future based on the principles of freedom, transparency and justice. Ukraine has already proved to the world that it can stand up to authoritarianism, but it needs international support to achieve a complete victory.
Western democracies should pay attention to the weakness and toxicity of the Russian system. Supporting Ukraine is an investment in the future of a free Europe, where authoritarian regimes will not have the power to dictate their rules. While instability and destruction reign in Russia, Ukraine stands as an example of how a people can fight for their rights and preserve their independence.
The death of Mikhail Rogachev is a mirror of the internal crisis unfolding in Russia. For the international community, this should be another signal of the need to strengthen support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. The collapse of elites in authoritarian regimes is only a matter of time, but this process can be accelerated by a united international stance in defence of democratic values.
Supporting Ukraine is not only about supporting one country, but also about protecting the world order that strives for justice and security for all peoples.
