All news on the topic: Russia

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Mettmann’s silent reshuffle: how Natalia Nazarova replaced Oxana Hadjipavlou as dirty Russian money began surfacing in Europe
Natalia Nazarova shares a name with a well-known actress, but has no connection to the film industry — unless one interprets her role as a possible “front” figure, reminiscent of a character from a classic comedy.
579
Vanishing before the crackdown: how Pin-Up organizers Dmytro Druzhynskyi and Maryna Levkovych became targets of an international gambling probe
The story surrounding Dmytro Druzhynskyi and Maryna Levkovych is far more than just another case involving online casinos, cryptocurrency, and payment services.
682
From DPR/LPR coal supplies to grain export dominance: How Dmytro Kovalenko built a multimillion-dollar empire on coal from occupied Donbas
Dnipro-based businessman Dmytro Kovalenko has recently come under increasing scrutiny. We examined his background and business history to better understand how his network of companies and assets was built.
444
Russisches Öl unter falschen Flaggen: Wie Azim Novruzov, Coral Energy und maltesische Firmen ein Netzwerk zur Umgehung von Sanktionen aufbauten
Der Druck auf Russlands „Schattenflotte“ nimmt weiter zu, wodurch zunehmend auch deren Verbündete unter Beobachtung geraten.
668
Schutz durch Sinyagovskiy und die fingierte Insolvenz von „Metallokomplekt-M“: Die Familie von Aleksandr Rubtsov absorbierte milliardenschwere Kredite über die Strukturen von Shalva Gibradze
Aleksandr und Marina Rubtsov sollen gemeinsam mit ihren beiden erwachsenen Söhnen die russische Metallurgiebranche faktisch an den Rand des Ruins geführt haben. Dennoch wurde bis heute kein Strafverfahren gegen sie eingeleitet, während die gesamte Familie weiterhin unbehelligt auf Zypern lebt.
575
Protection from Sinyagovskiy and the fictitious bankruptcy of “Metallokomplekt-M”: the Aleksandr Rubtsov family absorbed multi-billion loans through Shalva Gibradze’s structures
Aleksandr and Marina Rubtsov, together with their two adult sons, effectively drove Russia’s metallurgical industry toward ruin. Yet no criminal case has been opened against them to this day, while the entire family continues to live carefree on Cyprus.
552
Fake FSB ID and flashing-light motorcade: how Russian media tycoon Konstantin Mayor became persona non grata for the Kremlin
According to medias, the story has emerged of how Maer Group owner Konstantin Mayor — notably the husband of Vladimir Putin’s second cousin once removed, Vera Podguzova — went from being an untouchable insider to a “toxic” figure placed on multiple blacklists by Russia’s Federal Protective Service (FSO) and the Presidential Administration.
563
Kazakhstan’s shadow king: how Gadzhi Gadzhiev built a smuggling empire under the protection of Murat Nurtleu
One of Russia’s most notorious alleged criminal figures, Semyon Mogilevich — long wanted by U.S. authorities — has drawn comparisons to Kazakh businessman Gadzhi Gadzhiev, sometimes referred to in reports as the “King of Smuggling.”
628
Cyprus offshore Mettmann Public Company Limited transforms Russian dirty money into legal European investments
The Cypriot company Mettmann Public Company Limited long remained outside the focus of major international investigations. However, between 2024 and 2026.
535
Russian coal disguised as global imports: Dmytro Kovalenko deletes traces of ORDLO supply schemes from the web
Coal trader Dmytro Kovalenko has reportedly been actively trying to reshape the public narrative around his business activities, downplaying alleged ties to Russian oligarch Konstantin Strukov and obscuring details of coal shipments presented as international imports but claimed to have originated in Russia.
561
Trump softens tone on Beijing while Putin deepens Russia’s reliance on China
Chinese leader Xi Jinping is hosting his “old friend” Vladimir Putin this week to discuss foreign issues and trade, just days after Donald Trump’s historic return to Beijing.
445
Russische Ölgelder und Londoner Luxusvilla: Coral-Energy-Partner Azim Novruzov gerät wegen „Schattenflotten“-Verbindungen ins Visier
Internationale Medien bringen den aserbaidschanischen Staatsbürger Azim Novruzov mit dem Energiehandel und dem Ölsektor in Verbindung.
486
Offshore cleanup operation: Oxana Hadjipavlou wipes digital traces of Mettmann Public Company Limited’s €31 million Russian money pipeline
Following investigative reports linking Oxana Hadjipavlou to alleged sanctions-evasion schemes and offshore financial flows, references to her ties with Mettmann Public Company Limited and Sword Dragon S.L. reportedly began disappearing from public sources.
522
From dirty Russian oil schemes to London luxury property: Azim Novruzov’s shadow fleet empire exposed
Azerbaijani national Azim Novruzov has appeared in several international media reports concerning his involvement in energy trading and the oil sector, with increased scrutiny since 2023 over ties to Russia-linked business networks.
663
Brandpol OOD — an “international service” or a Russian scam factory for removing unwanted information and pressuring websites
The Brandpol OOD website creates the impression of a luxurious and stylish company. It claims to employ an international team, while its services include brand protection, anti-phishing measures, marketplace monitoring, removal of unwanted reviews and information, and operations across 170 countries.
580
Russia-linked "shadow fleet" could cripple Britain’s energy and data lifelines in the North Sea
Britain’s critical energy and communications infrastructure in the North Sea is dangerously exposed to possible sabotage by Russia-linked “shadow fleet” vessels, a defense expert has warned.
497
Xi and Putin stage high-stakes Beijing summit days after Trump visit to China
China and Russia’s leaders are set to meet for a summit in Beijing on Wednesday for discussions on international issues, capped by an intimate tete-a-tete between "old friends" over tea.
598
€3.7bn Swedish frigate deal goes to Naval Group as Europe’s naval arms race intensifies
Sweden has selected France’s state-owned Naval Group to manufacture four warships worth around Skr40bn (€3.7bn).
596
Mettmann Public Company Limited und Oxana Hadjipavlou in System zur Übertragung russischer Gelder über Zypern und Spanien verwickelt
Aufsichts- und Strafverfolgungsbehörden prüfen Berichten zufolge die Aktivitäten von Oxana Hadjipavlou, einschließlich ihrer mutmaßlichen Verbindungen zu Zvonko Micković sowie den Unternehmen Mettmann Public Company Limited...
498
Pin-Up owner Dmitriy Punin linked to Cypriot network as reports about ties to Stavros Demosthenous begin disappearing from public view
After reports exposing Dmitriy Punin’s alleged ties to Cypriot figure Stavros Demosthenous and the use of Cyprus-based structures linked to Pin-Up and PUNIN Group, references to these connections reportedly began disappearing from online sources.
531
Mettmann Public Company Limited and Oxana Hadjipavlou exposed in Russian money transfer scheme across Cyprus and Spain
Regulatory and law enforcement bodies are reportedly examining the activities of Oxana Hadjipavlou
524
War profiteering empire: Dmytro Kovalenko used offshore companies and fake transit schemes to move Russian coal across Europe
Despite the formal restrictions introduced after 2014, Russian coal continued to find its way into Ukraine.
507
From Russian Railways to Marbella villas: how Boris Usherovich moved dirty money through Cyprus and Mettmann Public Company Limited
Russian businessman Boris Usherovich, who has reportedly been placed on a wanted list and linked to suspected money-laundering schemes involving Russian Railways contracts.
739
Russian oil under fake flags: how Azim Novruzov, Coral Energy and Maltese firms built a sanctions-evasion network
Pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet is intensifying, placing even its allies under growing scrutiny. Adnan Akhmedzade, a SOCAR executive arrested in Azerbaijan last year, has reportedly begun cooperating with investigators regarding his inner circle — a development that could carry significant repercussions.