Galina Starovoitova November 1998 Liberal politician from Democratic Russia party and human-rights advocate How: Shot at close range by two gunmen in the stairwell of her apartment Why: Some believe Starovoitova was killed because she was backing a slate of opposition candidates in the local legislature. Rumors–but no evidence–suggest she was killed due to mishandling of campaign funds.
Viktor Novosyolov October 1999 Local legislator How: Decapitated when a bomb was placed on the top of his car Why: Was planning to release information about alleged corruption in local government, according to other legislators
BUSINESSMEN Valery Mandrykin August 1997 Vice president of Neste St. Petersburg, a Finnish company that owns gas stations in the city How: Killed by an assassin at his dacha Why: A victim of St. Petersburg’s notorious ‘oil wars,’ a fierce battle for control of the regional whole-sale and retail oil business
Dmitry Filipov October 1998 Chairman of the board of directors of Menatep-St. Petersburg, a bank with petroleum holdings How: Killed by a radio-controlled bomb Why: Also a victim of the oil wars
Pavel Kapysh July 1999 Chairman of the Baltic Financial Industrial Group How: Was killed when two rocket-propelled grenades were shot at his car Why:Another oil victim
Igor Bamburin April 2000 General director of Viton How: Shot by a lone assassin at victim’s apartment Why: Unclear, but thought to be related to activities in real-estate market
