This is the story of Mikhail Pichugin, aged 45, who was miraculously discovered alive after 67 days when the engine of his boat failed during a tragic whale-watching trip aboard a Russian trawler. Reports from local media suggest that Mikhail was found adrift in a rubber dinghy, clinging to the bodies of his deceased brother and nephew from the ill-fated expedition. In a video shared by East2West Media Group, he can be observed wearing an orange life jacket, signaling for help in the darkness and informing rescuers of his weakened state. The fishing vessel Angel's crew rescued Mikhail at night and brought him aboard despite his significant weight loss of 50 kg. He is said to be in a stable condition.

Initially mistaking the small inflatable boat for debris or a buoy, the fishing vessel decided to investigate further and were astonished to find Pichugin. He was promptly transferred to an emergency care unit at Magadan hospital, reportedly suffering from dehydration and hypothermia but otherwise in stable health. It is reported that Mikhail, accompanied by his 49-year-old brother and 15-year-old nephew, set out for the remote Shantar Islands, well-known for whale feeding grounds, off the northwest coast of the Sea of Okhotsk in early August. However, they disappeared on their return journey to the city of Okha on Sakhalin Island on August 9. When the family reported them missing, local authorities launched a rescue mission. After a month of fruitless searching, the operation was called off due to the assumption that survival in the harsh conditions was unlikely.

According to the Russian state-run RIA Novosti news agency, the men had packed supplies to last two weeks, warm clothing, life jackets, flares, and around five gallons of water. The cause of their stranding at sea is believed to be engine malfunction. The details of how Mikhail managed to survive in the frigid waters of East Asia and the conclusion of the story remain unknown.Fortunately, At managed to avoid being overtaken by the storms that claimed the lives of his brother and nephew. Local media sources have disclosed that the regional prosecutor's office has initiated a preliminary criminal inquiry into the fatalities. In addition, Mikhail could potentially be imprisoned due to Russian regulations prohibiting his boat from venturing beyond a two-nautical-mile limit from the coastline.