The senior executives of Yukos, Russia's embattled oil company, have left the country amid a wave of arrest and search warrants issued by Russian prosecutors for managers of the group.

"There is not a single member of the management board left in Russia," a person familiar with the situation said yesterday.

Yukos, which has been crippled by tax claims of more than $20 billion and is facing the forced sale of its main production asset, Yuganskneftegas, is in effect being managed from abroad, according to the person.

Mr Bruce Misamore, the chief financial officer of Yukos and a US citizen, said from London: "I am not going to sacrifice my life for political purposes." He would not return to Russia until he was certain his freedom and security were not in danger.

Mr Misamore was summoned yesterday by the General Prosecutor's office for questioning, but explained he was on a business trip. "I am happy to talk to them for as long as they are seeking answers to their questions and not pursuing another agenda." He said he had received information that indicated his freedom "could be impaired".

Mr Misamore said the police had raided the offices of Mr Steven Theede, the chief executive of Yukos and a former executive at ConocoPhillips. It is understood he is also in London.

People close to Yukos say the latest actions of the law enforcement agencies are aimed at paralysing the company, which has been under attack for more than a year.