Penza, 22 June 2016. PenzaNews. The former Penza region governor, member of the Russian Federation Council Vasily Bochkarev, 67, who passed away at the age of 67 on Wednesday, June 22, succumbed to a long fight with lung cancer, a source close to the government elite told PenzaNews.

© PenzaNewsBuy the photo

“As far as I know, he went through treatment in many clinics, consulted with professionals, including abroad – in Germany and Israel. He spent his last months in the Penza hospital, where he went through the final operation to remove tumors from lungs. But it ended up in vain,” the source said.

According to it, the governor was home after the operation under 24/7 watch of medics, including resuscitation experts.

“He couldn’t walk on his own, and had to use strong painkillers. But there was still hope. There is always hope. And it all ended today. May he rest in peace,” the source added.