Russian Crypto Billionaire Killed In Helicopter Crash: 19th Tycoon To Mysteriously Die Since Putin's Ukraine Invasion

A 53-year-old crypto billionaire is the latest to die in a string of mysterious deaths of Russian oligarchs since the onset of Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. 

What Happened: Vyacheslav Taran, the co-founder of Forex Club and president of the Libertex Group, died in a helicopter crash near the French-Italian border while traveling from Switzerland, reported TASS. He was the only passenger in the helicopter, apart from the pilot.

"It is with great sadness that Libertex Group confirms the death of its co-founder and Chairman of Board of Directors, Vyacheslav Taran, after a helicopter crash," Taran's crypto company said in a statement.

The company bills itself as a leading foreign exchange and trading platform for Bitcoin BTC/USD, Ethereum ETH/USD and Dogecoin DOGE/USD.

See Also: Best FTX Alternatives: How to Keep Your Crypto Safe in 2022

The billionaire was traveling in an Airbus H130 Lucerne to Monaco when it crashed. Both Taran and the 35-year-old French pilot died, according to France Bleu radio network.

Meanwhile, the Russian Embassy in Paris said the “Representatives of the Russian Consulate in Villefranche-sur-Mer are staying in touch with the family of the deceased to settle all administrative matters.” 

This comes a month after cryptocurrency developer and MakerDAO co-founder Nikolai Mushegian drowned in the water off a Puerto Beach on Oct. 28.

Taran's death is the latest in a long line of Russian oligarchs who have died under mysterious circumstances this year. According to reports, Taran was the 19th businessman who died under suspicious circumstances.

Recently, Tiantian Kullander, the co-founder of Amber Group and cryptocurrency entrepreneur, died in his sleep from unknown causes. 

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