Two companies controlled by Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich sold shares in a lucrative advertising firm in 2010 to two men whom Western governments claim are nominal holders for President Vladimir Putin, the BBC reported, citing leaked financial documents from Cyprus, a well-known offshore haven for Russian businessmen. The sale price of the 25 percent stake in Video International appears to have been below fair value, the BBC said, and could challenge the tycoon's long-standing position that he had no financial relationship with the Russian president. The EU placed sanctions on Abramovich in 2022, claiming he had "privledged access" to Putin.
Leaked Documents Indicate Abramovich Had Financial Ties To Putin
Editors' Picks
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.