Mega rich Russian oligarch dies in 'tragic shooting range accident' aged 46

Pavel Izbrekht, Deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Chelyabinsk Region of Russia was checking to see if his gun was loaded when he seemingly fatally shot himself

A mega rich Russian oligarch has been killed in an apparent shooting range accident. Pavel Izbrekht, Deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Chelyabinsk Region of Russia was found dead at the age of 46.

He was also General Director of Chelyabinsk Zinc Plant JSC and thought to be one of the country's most wealthy oligarchs – although his exact wealth is unknown.

According to Baza News, he died from a gunshot wound suffered at a shooting range, where he was practising his skills with his driver and a security guard.

The outlet claims he was checking the gun to see if it was loaded or not – which it seemingly was – and he “fatally wounded himself”.

A spokesman for Russia's Investigative Committee said: “Currently, investigators and forensic investigators are inspecting the scene of the incident, conducting verification activities aimed at establishing the circumstances and causes of the incident.

“In order to coordinate the work, the deputy head of the Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Chelyabinsk Region has left for the scene of the incident."

Pictures from the scene show Russian police vehicles lining the roads, with police tape closing off the area where the accident took place.

A Kremlin spokesman said: “"It is with deep sorrow that the Governor and the Government of the Chelyabinsk Region announce the sudden passing away of Pavel Alexandrovich Izbrecht and express their sincere condolences to his family and friends.

“The government notes that Izbrecht was an outstanding industrialist, analyst and strategist, headed the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the region and actively involved in public life.

His sudden passing away is a huge loss for the Chelyabinsk Region and the professional community of the whole country.”

According to Ura.UR, the Yekaterinburg-born man became director of the Chelyabinks Zinc Plant in 2014, and was elected as a deputy of the Chelyabinsk Legislative Assembly in 2021, where he worked on the committee on industrial policy, energy, transport and tariff regulation – he was known to be well respected among Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner-circle inside the Kremlin.

A Chelyabinsk Zinc Plant spokesman said: “As a result of a tragic accident at a shooting range, CEO Pavel Izbrekht died. This is a great tragedy. We offer our sincere condolences to his family, relatives, loved ones and friends.”

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.