A 56-year-old Russian businessman closely associated with officials in the Putin administration has passed away under mysterious circumstances.
Mikhail Kenin, a wealthy property tycoon, was reportedly in good health, and the exact cause of his death has not been officially disclosed. Reports suggest that doctors initially indicated he may have suffered from “acute heart failure.”
This incident adds to a series of enigmatic deaths involving prominent individuals in Russia since the period leading up to the conflict with Ukraine. Kenin’s connections to Putin’s former defense minister at the onset of the war, Sergei Shoigu, have been highlighted in various reports.
Shoigu, who currently serves as the secretary of the Kremlin’s security council, is believed to be falling out of favor with the Russian leader. Several high-ranking officials within Shoigu’s ministry have been dismissed or faced allegations of corruption and subsequent arrests.
Kenin was also linked to the family of Andrey Vorobyov, the affluent governor of the Moscow region. Speculations suggest that Kenin may have been entrusted with undisclosed wealth belonging to certain senior Russian officials.
Having amassed his wealth through significant holdings in Samolet Group, valued at over $1 billion at one point, Kenin’s sudden demise has sparked speculation that the lucrative assets of the group could be taken over by influential members within Putin’s inner circle.
Samolet Group confirmed Kenin’s passing without specifying the cause and described him as a remarkable entrepreneur with exceptional leadership qualities. Kenin’s efforts in establishing Russia’s largest property development firm were well-recognized, and it was known that he had been attempting to divest his shares before his untimely death.
Amidst claims that the Kremlin prohibited the sale of his shares, it is now speculated that the ownership of these shares may transition to new beneficiaries without cost. Kenin’s daughter, Michelle, a 32-year-old socialite and former tennis player residing in London and Dubai, is believed to be his heir.
Allegations from the independent Telegram channel VChK-OGPU suggest Kenin’s affiliation with the Shoigu clan and hint at a potential connection between his death and the company’s ongoing challenges. The channel hinted at a possible change in ownership for Samolet Group in the near future, indicating an anticipated development that may not surprise many observers.