Formerenergy czar Sechin, a long-time ally of President Vladimir Putin and seen bysome Kremlin-watchers as the second most powerful man in the country, bought a0.0075% share in the company reported to be worth $5.5 million.

A Rosneftspokeswoman told Reuters that Sechin had invested his bonus to buy the shares.

“It is apart of the company's corporate culture; executives believe in the growth ofthe company's value and are interested in the result personally,” she added.

Sechin