A RUSSIAN billionaire has died in a mysterious helicopter crash near Monaco after a passenger cancelled last minute.

Businessman Vyacheslav Taran, 53, was killed in the crash near the village of Eze, after taking off from Lausanne, Switzerland.

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

There was supposed to be another passenger onboard but mysteriously canceled last minute, local media reported.

The accident happened around 1 pm on November 25, Monaco Daily News reported, when the single-engine light helicopter Eurocopter EC130 (H130) operated by Monacair crashed near Monaco.

An investigation has been launched into the crash.

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The Deputy Public Prosecutor of Nice visited the scene of the accident and said that the fault of a third party could not be ruled out.

The Russian embassy in France noted the crash happened near the city of Villefranche-sur-Mer. 

Dad of three Taran was the co-founder of the trading and investment platform Libertex.

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.

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

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."

The entrepreneur was one of the founders of the Change One Life charity foundation.

The Russian businessman was living in Monaco for the past ten years.

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