Nikolay Bortsov
Moscow: Two Russian officials, who are allies of President Vladimir Putin, were found dead on the same day. A number of prominent Russians have died since the invasion of Ukraine started in February 2022. At least 20 high-profile individuals have died under mysterious circumstances.
On Sunday, 77-year-old Nikolay Bortsov, who served as a State Duma deputy since 2003, died at his home in the Lipetsk region. No cause of death has been revealed yet. 57-year-old Dzhasharbek Uzdenov is said to have died due to a "serious and prolonged illness," reported Newsweek.
Vladimir Vasilyev, head of the United Russia faction, condoned Uzdenov's death and said: "Death snatched another comrade from our ranks. Sensitive, attentive, strong-willed, always ready to help—this is how we will remember Jasharbek Borisovich. He fought for a long time, but, unfortunately, the disease turned out to be stronger. We will miss him very much."
Nikolay Bortsov was one of the wealthiest government employees with an estimated net worth of $550 million. Forbes in 2021 ranked him among Russia's 100 richest federal workers. According to leaked data published by Metro, he had also secretly obtained the right to live in the UK. He denied having British citizenship. After the Ukraine war started, the US and several other Western nations imposed sanctions on him.
Dzhasharbek Uzdenov was a member of Russia's house committee on Ecology, natural resources, and environmental protection. After the invasion began, he was also hit with sanctions from the US and New Zealand.