A TOP Ukrainian diplomat has been found dead in mysterious circumstances after apparently drowning in just 5ft deep water.

Oleksandr Senchenko, 56, was instrumental in blocking shadowy Russian imports that attempted to dodge sanctions.

Senchenko worked as Kyiv's most senior envoy in Armenia – second only to the official ambassador at the embassy in Yerevan. 

He was found dead in the mountainous Lake Sevan, 6,234 ft above sea level.

The official was found lifeless in the water some 80ft offshore in water that was just 5ft deep and 22c.

His body was retrived by lifeguards in a boat and paramedics could not revive him.

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Ukrainian officials have said they "do not know if his death was natural causes".

Armenia is a country which has close relations with both warring parties Russia and Ukraine.

Senchenko worked at the embassy to help block Russians attempting to circumvent sanctions imposed by the West.

Armenia does not border either country, but is only seperated from Russia by neighbouring Georgia.

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Ukraine’s foreign ministry  announced with “deep sadness” the death of the “experienced and highly qualified diplomat” while not commenting on the circumstances of his demise.

The ministry “expresses deep condolences to the families and friends of the deceased in connection with this irreparable loss”, said a statement.

The Armenian Interior Ministry said: "Lifeguards on duty at a Sevan public beach noted the disappearance of a man swimming in the lake at 8:17 p.m. on Sunday. 

“The lifeguards pulled the man out of the water, but paramedics determined that he had died.”

The death is understood to be under preliminary investigation by the Armenian authorities. 

The circumstances of Senchenko's death remains unclear – but numerous high profile figures linked to Russia have died in odd circumstances since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Dozens of key figures in Putin's orbit and linked to the Russian state have died – from government officials, to military figures, to wealthy oligarchs.

It has been speculated the shadowy hand of the Kremlin could be involved in at least some of the deaths in what has been dubbed Putin's own "Murder Inc".

Multimillonaire cyber stooge Anton Cherepennikov was found dead last month, and so was billionaire oligarch Igor Kudryakov – a former government official and wealthy businessman.

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