What's happened
A shooting incident near the Kremlin resulted in two security guards dead and several others injured, including law enforcement officers. The altercation involved Vladislav Bakalchuk, ex-husband of Wildberries founder Tatiana Bakalchuk, amid a corporate dispute over a controversial merger. Investigators have launched a criminal probe into the incident.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the New York Times, the shooting occurred during a confrontation at Wildberries' headquarters, with Vladislav Bakalchuk claiming he was attacked while seeking negotiations. In contrast, Tatiana Bakalchuk stated that no such talks were arranged, framing the incident as an attempted hostile takeover. The Moscow Times reported that investigators have arrested around 30 individuals, including those connected to Kadyrov, indicating the incident's broader implications in Russian business and politics. The Bell described the merger as part of a wartime redistribution of assets, suggesting that the conflict may reflect larger trends in the Russian economy.
How we got here
The conflict between Tatiana and Vladislav Bakalchuk escalated following their divorce in July 2024. The couple's dispute centers around Wildberries, a major online retailer, and its merger with Russ Group, which has drawn public and political attention, including involvement from Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.
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Bakalchuk started the business in 2004 at age 28 in her Moscow apartment while on maternity leave from teaching.
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