INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The CEO of Russian retail giant Wildberries said Monday that she reverted to her maiden name amid an ongoing business dispute with her
estranged husband that escalated in a deadly shootout last week.Tatyana and Vladislav Bakalchuk, the co-founders of Wildberries, one of
which two security guards were killed.Bakalchuk, Russia's wealthiest woman, wrote on Telegram Monday that her surname "from today is once
again Kim," adding that "the best choice is to always remain yourself." Wildberries' press service told RIA Novosti state news agency that
"an official procedure of changing the surname has been launched" by Bakalchuk.Wildberries was founded in 2004 by Bakalchuk, a teacher on
maternity leave, together with her IT technician husband
With bright pink branding, the Wildberries site initially specialized in clothes and shoes but now offers a wide range of goods including
furniture and electronics.The business made Bakalchuk a billionaire, although her fortune took a hit from a controversial merger in June
with Russ Group, according to Forbes.Vladislav Bakalchuk, who holds a minor stake in the online retailer, described the merger as a hostile
takeover and sought the support of Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov
On Wednesday, he led a group of men to the company's headquarters in Moscow to discuss ending "the construction of a warehouse."Tatiana
Bakalchuk denied the claim, and Wildberries said the group of men tried to forcibly enter the building before opening fire on security
lawyers said he was charged with multiple criminal offenses, including murder, attempted murder, vigilantism and an attempt on the life of a
But late Friday, he released a cryptic video on Telegram saying that he was at home and would continue to fight for his "family
billion rubles ($300 million).The independent business outlet The Bell suggested the merger may be part of Russia's wartime redistribution
of assets that has rewarded Kremlin-linked business figures.AFP contributed reporting.
