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WIFE’S GRIEF

Russian crypto tycoon killed in mystery chopper crash SUPPORTED Ukraine – he wasn’t a Kremlin spy, says widow

THE wife of a Russian crypto tycoon killed in a mystery helicopter crash has hit back at claims he was a Kremlin spy.

Vyacheslav Taran, 53, died when the chopper came down near Monaco and his grieving widow Olga has insisted he has actually supported Ukraine.

Vyacheslav Taran pictured with his wife Olga
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Vyacheslav Taran pictured with his wife OlgaCredit: East2West
The chopper he was travelling in was heading to Monaco from Lausanne in Switzerland
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The chopper he was travelling in was heading to Monaco from Lausanne in SwitzerlandCredit: East2West

A 35-year-old French pilot was also killed in the accident that happened in the Alpes-Maritimes, in the southeast of France.

Russian-born Taran - originally from Vladivostok - had three children with OIga, the founder of Hello Monaco media.

In the wake of the crash, a Ukrainian news agency reported he had ties to Russia’s foreign intelligence service.

But that claim has been strenuously denied by his wife who described the allegations against him as “outrageous” and “an absolute and utter lie”.

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Mrs Taran said her husband left Russia to pursue and focus on his business interests back in 2008.

The UNIAN agency report alleged Taran was linked to the SVR foreign espionage agency.

He was responsible for “laundering Russian funds through a system of cryptocurrency operations”, it alleged.

The tycoon's wife hit back saying: “My husband never had any connections to the Russian government or any political affiliations."

Mrs Taran said that since 2014, her husband has supported two charities for Ukrainian refugees.

They are Changeonelife, which she said has helped
thousands of children in Ukraine find new parents since 2014, and Pristaniste, which is based in Montenegro.

“This attack is unfair to Vyacheslav who always actively supported Ukrainian people through his charity foundations, especially children who lost their parents,” she said.

“We still have not received Vyacheslav’s body due to the investigation and each day brings unbearable pain.”

The accident happened around 1 pm on November 25 when the single-engine light helicopter Eurocopter EC130 operated by Monacair crashed after flying from Lausanne in Switzerland.

The pilot of the helicopter was said by his employers to be an experienced local man and had not reported an emergency

So far there is no indication of what had caused the aircraft to hit the hillside as it descended in good visibility after the 90-minute flight.

A second passenger had been due to board the helicopter, an almost new machine, but cancelled shortly before it took off.

Taran was the founder of the trading and investment platform Libertex and Forex Club.

The company said in a statement: "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 that took place en route to Monaco on Friday, 25 November 2022.

"The Board of Directors of Libertex Group and company employees extend their most heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the Taran family."

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The Government of Monaco has also issued a statement expressing condolences to the families of the victims and said that it "shares the pain caused by this tragedy".

An investigation has been launched into the crash by French authorities.

The crash happened near the village of Eze
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The crash happened near the village of EzeCredit: East2West
Taran was the founder of the trading and investment platform Libertex and Forex Club
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Taran was the founder of the trading and investment platform Libertex and Forex ClubCredit: East2West
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