The ex-husband of Wildberries founder Tatiana Bakalchuk, Vladislav Bakalchuk, was arrested following a deadly shootout at the online retailer’s headquarters in Moscow, where two security guards were killed and several others injured. Tatiana accused Vladislav of orchestrating a failed takeover attempt after he opposed Wildberries’ merger with Russ Group to form a new digital trading platform under Kremlin oversight. Vladislav saw the merger as a hostile takeover and sought support from Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. He led a group of men to the headquarters before the shooting incident took place.
Vladislav Bakalchuk has been charged with multiple criminal offenses, including murder, attempted murder, vigilantism, and an attempt on the life of a law enforcement officer. His lawyers claim that the charges are an “unprecedented violation” of his rights, alleging that the office security staff opened fire first. They also accused investigators of pressuring Vladislav’s legal team, but did not provide further details. Billionaire senator Suleiman Kerimov was named as a key figure behind Wildberries’ merger with Russ Group, although he was only described as a friend by Russ Group’s CEO.
After seeking help from Kadyrov in July, the Chechen leader accused “well-known Caucasians” of coercing Tatiana into the merger, widely interpreted as a reference to Kerimov. The business news media characterized the Wildberries-Russ Group deal as “very strange” due to the vast difference in revenues between the two companies. Wildberries generated 538.7 billion rubles in revenues compared to Russ Group’s 27.9 billion rubles. The Bell, an independent business outlet, suggested that the merger could be part of Russia’s wartime redistribution of assets that benefits Kremlin-linked business figures.
The shooting incident at Wildberries’ headquarters and the subsequent arrests of around 30 people have raised questions about the motives behind the incident. Tatiana Bakalchuk denied Vladislav’s claim that the group of men was discussing the construction of a warehouse, stating that they tried to forcibly enter the building before opening fire on security guards. Federal investigators have launched a criminal probe into the incident, indicating that there may be more details uncovered in the coming days.
Vladislav Bakalchuk’s lawyers continue to defend their client, arguing that the charges against him are unjust and that he was acting in self-defense during the shooting. The involvement of billionaire senator Suleiman Kerimov in the merger between Wildberries and Russ Group adds another layer of complexity to the situation. The allegations of pressure on Vladislav’s legal team by investigators raise concerns about the fairness of the legal process surrounding the case.
Overall, the incident at Wildberries’ headquarters has sparked a broader discussion about business dealings in Russia and the potential influence of powerful figures like Kerimov and Kadyrov. The merger between Wildberries and Russ Group, as well as the shooting incident and subsequent arrests, have highlighted the complex web of relationships and power dynamics within the Russian business community. The ongoing criminal probe and legal proceedings will likely shed more light on the motivations behind the events and the individuals involved.
