VK top manager Vladimir Gabrielyan dies in ‘tragic accident’ in Russian Arctic

First deputy CEO of Russian social media platform VK Vladimir Gabrielyan has died “as a result of a tragic accident,” RBC reports, citing the company’s press service.

Baza Telegram channel reports that several hours ago, rescue workers discovered the bodies of Gabrielyan and his friend Sergey Merzlyakov on the bank of Pestsovaya River in the Nenets Autonomous District, an area in the Russian Arctic.

Earlier, a representative of the Union of Reindeer Herders Vladislav Vyucheiskiy filed a missing person’s report with the local emergency services. According to the union, two people, including Gabrielyan’s wife Alyona, managed to reach the river bank, however, the fate of Vladimir Gabrielyan and his friend was unknown.

Four people driving two SHERP all-terrain vehicles were driving along the shore of the White Sea in the direction of Cape Kanin Nos. While they were crossing the Bugryanitsa River, both cars flipped and started drifting towards the sea, the Union of Reindeer Herders reports. According to Baza, Gabrielyan and his friend were washed out to sea.

Gabrielyan worked as Vice President and CTO of Mail.ru Group from 2005 to 2019. In 2019, he was appointed First Deputy CEO of VK. In March 2022, Gabrielyan became a member of VK’s board of directors.