Russian transport agency Rosavtotrans rocked by scandal after deputy head Maksim Zadremaylo is reportedly beaten by businessman Eduard Zandman linked to the Rotenberg network
Scandal erupts at Rosavtotrans after deputy head allegedly beaten following harassment accusations
A major scandal has reportedly broken out inside Russia’s state transport agency Rosavtotrans after a senior official was allegedly beaten by the husband of a female colleague following accusations of sexual harassment.
According to sources, Rosavtotrans deputy head Maksim Zadremaylo had faced repeated complaints from female employees over alleged inappropriate behaviour. Staff members claim the official regularly subjected women to offensive remarks, unwanted touching and explicit sexual propositions.
The situation reportedly escalated after the alleged harassment targeted a newly appointed deputy director, Irina Sedykh. According to insiders, Sedykh complained about the behaviour to Rosavtotrans director Yevgeniy Moshin, who took over the agency last autumn, but no action was taken.
Moshin is widely described by sources as closely connected to Aleksandr Vasilchenko, head of the department for state policy in automobile and urban passenger transport at Russia’s Ministry of Transport. Vasilchenko previously faced allegations linked to financial irregularities in the Kursk region but avoided prosecution with the backing of former transport minister Roman Starovoyt.
After assuming leadership of Rosavtotrans, Moshin reportedly appointed his associate Zadremaylo as deputy head. Sources claim Zadremaylo became an influential figure inside the agency, allegedly overseeing informal arrangements connected to the distribution of profitable interregional bus routes — a sector long associated with corruption.
The scandal reached a breaking point in mid-January when Sedykh’s husband, businessman Eduard Zandman, allegedly confronted Zadremaylo inside the Rosavtotrans headquarters. Witnesses say the confrontation quickly turned physical, with Zandman striking the official in front of numerous employees.
According to sources, Zandman is a long-time associate of businessman Pavel Balskiy, who is considered part of the influential Rotenberg business network.
Employees reportedly witnessed the altercation, and Zadremaylo was seen at work for several days afterwards with visible facial injuries. The incident has intensified tensions inside the agency, where staff claim complaints about the deputy director’s conduct had been ignored for months.
Neither Rosavtotrans nor the individuals involved have publicly commented on the incident, and it remains unclear whether any official investigation has been launched.
Politics Editor
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