The co-founders of Russias biggest online merchant Wildberries, Tatiana Kim and Vladislav Bakalchuk, formally ended their 22-year marital relationship on Monday as their split deepened a continuous business dispute.Kim first revealed strategies to divorce Bakalchuk last summertime after he looked for assistance from Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov in combating what he described as a hostile takeover of Wildberries by the outdoor advertising firm Russ Group.Earlier, Wildberries and Russ Group had announced a merger to produce a joint digital trading platform under the brand-new name RVB.A court promoted my divorce suit today, the kids are staying with me, Kim, Russias wealthiest woman, wrote on Telegram.Bakalchuk, who previously stated the couple had no prenuptial arrangement, stated the next court hearing on Feb.
18 will figure out the division of assets.The Wildberries conflict escalated in September when Bakalchuk led a group of men into the companys Moscow offices, triggering a confrontation that ended with the deadly shooting of 2 security guards.
Kim accusedher spouse and 2 previous executives of leading an armed takeover attempt.Bakalchuk and numerous others, consisting of ethnic Chechens, were charged with multiple felonies over the shooting, consisting of murder.
Nevertheless, the entrepreneur was later on released from police custody and the status of criminal procedures against him remains unclear.Kadyrov has actually considering that declared a blood fight against 3 Russian lawmakers from surrounding North Caucasus republics, accusing them of orchestrating the RVB merger and outlining his assassination.Russian business news outlets have described the Wildberries-Russ Group merger as part of a wider power struggle in between Kadyrov and influential billionaire senator Suleiman Kerimov.Wildberries and Russ Group say their merger, which has actually protected President Vladimir Putins approval, will produce a financial, media and retail powerhouse efficient in competing with Western innovation giants and reinforcing Russias economy.A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are dealing with unprecedented challenges.
Russias Prosecutor Generals Office has designated The Moscow Times as an unfavorable organization, criminalizing our work and putting our personnel at threat of prosecution.
This follows our earlier unfair labeling as a foreign representative.
These actions are direct efforts to silence independent journalism in Russia.
The authorities declare our work discredits the choices of the Russian leadership.
We see things in a different way: we aim to offer accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced.
However to continue our work, we require your help.Your support, no matter how little, makes a world of difference.
If you can, please support us regular monthly beginning with simply $2.
Its fast to establish, and every contribution makes a considerable impact.By supporting The Moscow Times, youre defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression.
Thank you for standing with us.Continue Not prepared to support today? Advise me later.Remind me next monthThank you! Your reminder is set.We will send you one pointer e-mail a month from now.
For information on the individual data we gather and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy.