Attached dossier
The number one in mass media became a meeting between president Putin and his official representatives, taken place on December 10. It is assumed that the theses of the annual presidential address of the State Duma scheduled for December 12 2012 were announced there.
Now in Khakassia as well
Among other things, the media was focused on the fight against corruption. According to Putin, this is not a question of short-term demonstrative campaign but long-term policy. But it was also was added that it wasn’t 1937 and there would be no unlawful sanctions. It was also said corruption was found not only in the Ministry of Defence (it should not be fixated on the personality of Anatoly Serdyukov). Particularly, the situation in the Ministry of Health was also difficult, as it was said. Intrigued observers have stood in anticipation ...
Meanwhile, coverage of the theme of “Serdyukov’s women” continues. Its geography is expands, covering Khakassia as well now. The figure of a new suspect has appeared. There is the former acting Director of the Department of Property Relations of the Ministry of Defense Olesya Podgornaya. She can be charged for illegal sale of land plots of the ministry in Abakan. There was a former quarters and operational part of the Siberian Military District.
The signature of Podgornaya is on sales contracts with Vostochny tranzit JSC (East Transit). The firm won two tenders conducted by the Ministry of Defence in the summer. Military investigators say that one of the objects was sold twice cheaper than its cadastral value: for 67.6 million rubles instead of the 136.6 million rubles.
No matter who wins on the road ...
It was started revealing of business activities of Rotenberg brothers. State contracts considered to be “road victories” are analyzed. A certain National Industrial Chamber of Commerce service company controlled by Mostotrest (NITP) won an auction for repair and maintenance of public roads, totaling more than 18.9 billion rubles. The state contracts were concluded with federal public institutions Tsentravtomagistral and Uprdor Russia within a month.
According to conditions of the state contracts, in the period from January 1, 2013 to June 30, 2018, NITP JSC is to perform works on maintenance of the existing facilities at sections of federal public roads M-5, Ural, A-107 (Small Moscow Ring ), A-108 (Big Moscow Ring), A-130 (Moscow-Maloyaroslavets-Roslovl), M-8 Kholmogory), M-9 Baltia, A-109 (Ilinskoe highway), A-105 (access road to the Domodedovo airport), M-4 Don, P-22 Caspiy, M-10 Rossia. The list is impressive, but it is not clear: where a crime is, actually? After a traffic jam nightmare of the last days on the M-10 highway highlighted the overall situation in the relevant sector of the economy, any “road victory” can only be welcomed.
Hurry up in a business way
And finally, the last. But it can be the first most important for the current situation.
The statements of unnamed sources in the Russian Navy published in the media about the Navy’s dissatisfaction with the project of a perspective aircraft carrier and poor living conditions on board of Admiral Gorshkov frigate is “ridiculous and self-exposing”, an anonymous but well-informed functionary of the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC ) says to the correspondent of the Central Navy Portal. It is about two media publications where the opinion of a certain high-ranking source in the command of the Navy is reflected. In the first material, criticism of the project of a perspective aircraft carrier is stated.
It was natural, according to the representative of the USC that the Navy “was offered an old Soviet aircraft carrier Ulyanovsk, which hadn’t been built because of the collapse of the USSR”. The Ministry of Defence chose the winner of the tender of 2011 on development of the concept of a prospective carrier - specifically, a sea carrier-complex - not specialized organization Neva Design Bureau but the general scientific Central Research Institute named after academician Krylov. Now it is Krylov State Scientific Center.
“And the negative result is, apparently, just due to this”, the interlocutor of the Navy Portal suggested, “Since specialists of the Krylov Institute had no special groundwork on the aircraft-carrier except some general ones, they had to get involved Neva Design Bureau as a consultant. Krylov Central Research Institute took as a basis the most advanced project of the Soviet era and just turned it by adding modern equipment and weapons. It should also be noted that wishes of the Navy in the form of requirements on the ship were, to put it mildly, not specific”.
Further the naval source added,”I would like to respond to yet another claim - on the frigate Admiral Gorshkov. Its construction continues on Severnaya Verf in St. Petersburg”. Here is another quote from Izvestia newspaper, “The sailors also have questions about the ship layout and placement of personnel. Quarters are too small, aisles and other facilities are overloaded with equipment”.
There are questions appeared. Who gave out the technical task to industry? Not the Navy? Who approved the project? The plant cannot build the order for the Navy without the control and surveillance of the Navy. Is it not time to determine the needs of the Navy? What does it need at this stage: a warship with “stealth” elements or cruise ship under the naval flag?
The United Shipbuilding Corporation hurries to take the claims acide. "If funding isn’t provided for a long time, the result is naturally determined – the terms are broken. The Defense Ministry is well aware about that. And the command of the Navy knows it too. With the current command, we will be able to solve our problems efficiently”.
It is time to solve the problems efficiently, really. As in the beginning of December, a curious tendency appeared. Criticism of corrupt officials of the Ministry of Defense begins to be smoothly transferred to the management of state-owned companies, among which the USC takes not the last place. It is significant enough that such a laconic and not advertized (and therefore specifically authoritative) figure as Alexander Voloshin came out with these theses.
It is possible that the local shipbuilding industry issues run by the USC will create a fundamental precedent. Of course, it will be not at the instigation of Voloshin but Putin known for a focus on power problems, especially military ones. And for this purpose it is not required to return to the methods of 1937.
As written in the press, in the 80’s Serdyukov traded walls in a furniture store "Dresden" in Leningrad, then he had obtained serious relationships, friendships with the directors of major department stores.
Source: "Moskovsky Komsomolets" from 01.03.2007
It was reported that head of the Federal Tax Service of Russia, deputy head of presidential administration, then presidential aide - Viktor Ivanov played a key role in Serdyukov’s appointment in November 2001.
The press wrote that when leading the Federal Tax Service, Serdyukov had completely changed the people who hold key positions in those areas working with major taxpayers. Colleagues of Serdyukov from St. Petersburg replaced them.
Source: "Kommersant" from 16.02.2007
It was reported that under Serdyukov the FTS went permanently closed to journalists.
As written in the press, some experts estimate the activity of Serdyukov as head of FTS in a positive way, while others were of the opinion that he had ruined the tax office.
Source: Vedomosti , № 28 (1802) on 16.02.2007
In 2004, the press mentioned Serdyukov in connection with the scandal of tax claims by OAO “VimpelCom” for 157 million dollars. As reported, Serdyukov dismissed Alexey Klimov – manager who had been bent on that interregional inspection N7. The official reason for dismissal was that Klimov had willfully filed the claims against the company, without consulting the leadership. But the press noted that he could hardly dare to undertake such a step. The shareholders of VimpelCom were Alfa Group and holding Telenor associated with the Norwegian Government. The tax claims against VimpelCom, as written in the press, could have appeared in connection with the conflict over the shares of MegaFon, and Minister of Communications Leonid Reiman allegedly had been linked to it partly. According to the media, dismissal of Klimov could mean that VimpelCom had agreed with the stakeholders – i.e.government and those who had relation to the shares in MegaFon.
Source: skandaly.ru on 10.02.05 with reference to the "Novaya Gazeta», newsru.com of 15 December 2004
In 2005, the press reported that Serdyukov, as the head of the Federal Tax Service, was able to convey his opinion to President Putin, bypassing his supervisor - Finance Minister Alexey Kudrin. As reported, Serdyukov did so through the then deputy head of Kremlin administration, Igor Sechin. As written in the press, the most famous example of insubordination was a letter by Serdyukov writing they needed to change the system for collecting tobacco excise taxes, which fell to Putin’s table without a visa of Ministry of Finance, which had the opposite opinion on the matter.
Source: "Kommersant” № 145 (3229) on 06.08.2005
According to the press reports, the appointment of Serdyukov, who did not know military affairs and military language, the post of defense minister was a shock. Some called it a "humiliation of the army", which "will not help stabilize the country." Others felt that an "apparatus for implementing the president's plans” had been created." Still others argued that Serdyukov was to restore in the military financial discipline.
Sources: Kommersant »№ 25 (3601) on 16.02.2007, skandaly.ru on 18.09.07," The New Times "on 14.05.07
In 2007, the press reported that Defence Minister Serdyukov was rumored to be a candidate number 3 to "receive" Putin's presidency (the first two - Dmitry Medvedev and Sergey Ivanov).
Source: "Dengi” № 24 (630) from 25.06.2007
In March 2007 the press reported about the intention of the Minister of Defense to pass a crash course of training at the Military Academy of the General Staff designed specially for him so that he could get an idea of the strategy and operational art, the theater of operations, knowledge of the organization and management of the Armed Forces.
Source: "Rossiyskaya Gazeta" on 30.03.2007
Becoming Defense Minister, Serdyukov’s first impulse was to change out the army uniform. A competition was held, and the fashion designer Valentin Yudashkin won it. But the mass production of the new form, which would cost 2.2 billion rubles, did not occur: the economic crisis impeded.
Kommersant № 79 (4134) on 05.05.2009
As written in the press, the new Minister Serdyukov began his work with stripping the army leadership from henchmen of the former Defense Minister, as well - with getting control over the huge financial flows passing through the military department.
Source: "The New Times" on 14.05.07
In October 2008, Serdyukov announced the beginning of the military reform, which provided a significant reduction in the total number of the armed forces. It was reported that the officer corps should have been be reduced from 315 thousand to 150 thousand people, the Institute of Ensigns and Warrant Officers was eradicated, the number of generals was reduced and the apparatus of the Ministry of Defense will decrease by two and a half times. According to the press reports, the system of military trade, military agriculture and some military federal state unitary enterprises were planned to be transferred to civilian OAO “Oboronservis”, and Center for procurement and supply of material and technical logistics means was redefined in the civilian Federal agency of procurement and supply.
As written in the press, shortly after the reform, information about it has become very proportioned. And in November, a disposal appeared prohibiting from distributing information about the progress of reforms, the problems and the morale climate of the troops.
Meanwhile, the press reported that due to existing disagreements with the reform, starting from the fall of 2008 a number of senior military commanders began to resign. It was also reported that representatives of the Communist Party openly challenged the reforms, saying the reform was"expensive" and "ill-conceived", "posing a threat to the country's defense”, as the army was loosing " highly qualified cadre” as a result of the downsizing . As the press wrote, the communists, even demanded the resignation of Serdyukov.
Source: Kommersant, № 218 (4035) 29.11.2008, Kommersant, № 196 (4013) on 28.10.2008, Kommersant, № 221 (4038), 04.12.2008, "Noviy Region 2", 03.12.2008
On February 21, 2008 Acting Chief of Service quartering and resettlement, Colonel-General Viktor Vlasov committed suicide. The press reported that on the eve of the death Vlasov had a conversation with Serdyukov, during which they discussed the fact that in the course of official inspections numerous violations had been revealed in the service controlled by Vlasov.
Source: newsru.com February 27, 2008, "Strana.ru" from 03.03.08
Serdyukov was mentioned in the press in connection with the scandal, which caused the death of hockey player of Omsk Avangard - Alexey Cherepanov. It was reported that the Chief of Cherepanov, the commander of the 48-th separate railway Omsk brigade Oleg Alborov, was proposed to write a letter of resignation. Alborov turned to reporters instead and published information about the corruption that pervades the system of the Army Sports. In particular, the colonel claimed that Cherepanov had never seen him. After the publicity Serdyukov signed an order of Alborov’s dismissal because he did not pass Certifying Commission in 2008.
Sources: Kommersant № 237 (4054) on 26.12.2008," Noviy Region "from 30.10.08
According to the press, in the summer of 2008, foreign observers pointed out that there was a struggle for control over the army in Russia. And at that time civilians headed by the Minister Serdyukov were winning the fight.
Source: newsru.com December 3, 2008
In April 2009 the press reported that the Defense Ministry suspended the dismissal of generals and officers due to the restructuring activities. In this case the soldier was supposed to be paid a sum equal to 185 thousand rubles. In the absence of funds they began to offer the troops to quit on their own will, of course, without any compensation payments.
Source: newsru.com April 15, 2009
In April 2009 the press reported that Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov finished trimming the top management of the former personnel of Ministry of Defense. It was reported that almost all the key positions had been taken by Serdyukov’s insiders.
Source: novayagazeta.ru from 29.04.2009
In early 2010 the foreign press noted that despite numerous permutations in the leadership of Defense Ministry, Serdyukov failed to control the Russian armed forces.
Source: newsru.com on January 14, 2010
As written in the press, by December 2009, despite strong performances by opponents of the reform, the management structure of the army was considerably changed, and the officer corps was reduced significantly - from 355 thousand officers' posts to 150 thousand.
Source: “Nezavisimaya Gazeta” 30.12.2009
As written in the press, most of the leaders of Defense from Serdyukov appeal had never experienced the major military posts, had not fought in the hot spots.
Source: newsru.com March 24, 2008
It was reported that the reorganization of the army property was taken up by a group of people formed of top managers of the St. Petersburg construction companies connected with the corporation LSR (Lenstroyrekonstruktsiya in some way; it belonged to Senator Andrey Molchanov. According to the sources in the military directorate, there were such assistants to Serdyukov as Lev Vinnik (former head of the St. Petersburg administration of investments and top manager in LSR), Leonid Sorokko (ex-director general of ZAO "Petr Veliky”) and Alexander Gorubnov (resigned director general of St. Petersburg defense plant “Leninets ").
Source: Moskovsky Komsomolets on 13.11.07
As written in the press, the arrangement management of the Defense Ministry troops was led by Oleg Koval, who had previously worked as a foreman in various civil construction projects and rose to general director of OOO "Block Monolith”. Koval was reported to have no experience in military construction.
Source: Kompromat.ru, February 2008
According to the press, Serdyukov put Gregory Naginsky as the head of the quartering and arrangement. In the press he is told to be the father-founder of the construction company "Titan-2", a member of the Federation Council and the uncrowned emperor of Sosnovy Bor. As written in the press in early 2010, he is to dispose of 113 billion rubles allocated for the construction of housing for defenders of the Motherland in 2010.
Source: "Nasha versiya na Neve" from 28.01.2010
The press describes a number of scandals associated with the privatization of military equipment, referred to Serdyukov.
According to media reports, Serdyukov has gained the right to sell a number of properties belonging to the Ministry of Defense. The relevant documents reportedly were signed by the then Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov.
Source: versia.ru on July 21, 2008
They wrote that Serdyukov obtained the right to "sell" the military objects in violation of the Russian law. He was supposed to sign the relevant papers not with his father-in-law, but with the head of the Federal Property Fund, as it is required by law.
Source: newsru.com24 March 2008
Press reported that with the advent of Serdyukov a project on the General Staff of the Navy, the Academy of Peter the Great, CSK complexes and many other objects moving from the capital to other cities has begun. They wrote that the building of the Minister of Defense on Myasnitskaya Street went by auction, thus, an old mansion of quartering and settlement service in the heart of Moscow was released from the officers.
Source: Kompromat.ru, February 2008
According to media reports, Serdyukov said that in 2008 the Defense Ministry planned to sell at auction more than 20 empty military installations throughout the country, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad and Vladivostok. As he insisted, all the money was to be solely for the acquisition of permanent housing and the construction of social facilities for the military.
Source: Kommersant-Online, 27.05.2008
Press wrote that a reformed Ministry of Defense auctioned off the two military camps in Moscow at a time: at the Rublevsky highway and in the Levoberezhny area.
Source: newsru.com on March 24, 2008
According to the press, the First Deputy Defense Minister, Colonel General Alexander Belousov was allegedly fired, due to the fact he did not want to give to the civilian businessmen the two land areas. Air Force Commander Vladimir Mikhailov was reported to be a wrong person, as he was against the withdrawal of the Academy n.a. Zhukovsky from Moscow. And besides, he opposed active usage of military transport aircrafts on commercial purposes and insisted on dominance of the military in the ground-based deployment, not of civilian air fleet. Former Chief of Military Medical Command Igor Bykov reportedly opposed the transfer of military hospital from the Kamenny Island in St. Petersburg or its transfer to civilian businessmen.
Source: "Vremya novostey", 22.02.2008
In 2008, as written in the press, the Defense Ministry began to struggle for the property, land and finance of the public organization ROSTO (DOSAAF). There were about 7 thousands of real estate and land in most regions of Russia. By the end of 2009 the status of the ROSTO was changed from a public organization into the social and state one. Defense took control over financial flows of the organization, which was 12 billion rubles by 2008. Property value of ROSTO was estimated to be worth up to 1 trillion rubles at the time. They wrote that the leaders of ROSTO called the attack on the social organization a "blatant corporate raid."
Sources: Kommersant № 71 (3888) on 25.04.2008, Kommersant № 229 (4284) on 08.12.2009
Serdyukov was mentioned in the press in connection with the scandal of the Kubinka airfield realigning –it was used to be a base for the famous aerobatic teams of "Strizhi" and "Russkie Vityazi" - into an airport for business aviation. According to the press, ZAO "Airport" Kubinka” embarked to implement this project (owned by OOO "Nafta-Moscow", included in the financial-industrial group of Suleiman Kerimov).
Source: novayagazeta.ru from 15.06.2009
In 2008, the press reported that as a part of the deliverance of "unnecessary" property by the Ministry of Defense, the Military Engineering Academy was evicted from the Bulvarnoe Koltso, and the editorial department of the Military University - from the Sadovoe Koltso. Defense also gave up on Aviation Engineering Academy n.a. Zhukovsky and the Academy of Strategic Rocket Forces n.a. Peter the Great in China-town.
Source: "Vremya novostey", 22.02.2008
According to press reports, the actions by Serdyukov on selling military lands were clearly endorsed by the top leaders of the country. For example, Dmitry Medvedev under his campaign announced a few abstract ideas formed by the team of Serdyukov. Among those were - the need to create a fund for the land owned by the Ministry of Defense which is not used for its original purpose, as well - the privatization of excess military property in the cities of Russia.
Source: newsru.com from 27 February 2008
The press noted that the lack of money the Defense Ministry did not prevent him from making expensive purchases and investing in questionable projects.
As written in the press, in December 2008, Serdyukov, together with the head of bank VTB Andrey Kostin and governor of Saint Petersburg Valentina Matvienko signed a memorandum on the establishment of a joint military training and research center the Naval Academy in Kronstadt. «The project was proposed by the company "VTB-Development" led by the son of Matvienko - Sergey, and is estimated at over 100 billion rubles.
Source: "Kommersant» № 233 / P (4050) on 22.12.2008
In November 2009, according to the media, Serdyukov demonstrated to Putin 450 homes purchased by the Ministry of Defense for military personnel in the cottage settlement "Novaya Izhora” in the southern part of St. Petersburg. It was reported that each house cost 6-6.5 million rubles. The press noted that Putin was not surprised that Serdyukov told him about the purchase only then. Besides, the law did not provide the purchase of houses for the military, but apartments only. And the footage was several times greater than the agreed one.
Source: newsru.com on November 24, 2009
In April 2010 the Defense Ministry announced the public procurement of 125 pieces of furniture at 18.3 million rubles. The military took everything - from wardrobe to the floor cloakroom. It was reported that, under the terms of the contract, the country of origin of most of the furniture was Italy.
Source: newsru.com on April 21, 2010
In April 2008, the Chamber published the data on that in 2006-2007 the Ministry of Defense spent 164.1 million rubles inappropriately.
Source: Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 04.04.2008
In January 2010, the press reported with reference to the source in the appropriate committee of the Federation Council that according to the Chamber, in 2009, the Defense Ministry paid in the budget a sum 10 times less than that agreed in the sale of property projects and military equipment: not 10 billion rubles, but 1.5 billion.
Source: Interfax, 03.01.2010
In March 2010, Chief Military Prosecutor (CMP) of Russia reported that in 2009, public procurement for the defense order damaged the state at 1 billion rubles.
" A person familiar with the matter " in the Defense Ministry told reporters that in fact the corrupt picture looks even gloomier: perhaps, not less than 50% of funds allocated for arms purchases is spent in vain. And this is more than 200 billion rubles only for the year 2009.
Source: "Komsomolskaya Pravda", 06.03.2010
In the press viewed the relationship between Anatoly Serdyukov and the group "Soyuz" uniting producers of furniture. It is reported that the de facto leader of this enterprise is a respected businessman Alexey Sargin, known as "Lesha-fat" in some circles. According to some information, Sargin is protected by one of the leaders of the Tambovskaya criminal group - Vasily Vladykovsky, nicknamed "Vasya-Bryansky". The former head of raider tax inspection # 15 in Petersburg, Sergey Markevich is among the founders of "Soyuz"; he is rumored to enjoy the favors of Serdyukov during his time in the tax authorities. It was also reported that Serdyukov was on friendly terms with other co-founders of "Soyuz", the closest business partners of Sargin are Brothers Alex and Peter Usov, the rumor is they belong to the Tambovskaya criminal group.
Sources: apn-spb.ru 2007-02-27, fontanka.ru on 17/05/2010
In June 2009, media sources reported that representatives of the Russian mafia (including Malyshev and Petrov), detained in 2008 during Operation “Troika” maintained an active relationship with the authorities of Russia. As reported, Defense Minister Serdyukov was among them.
Sources: svobodanews.ru from 08.06.2009.
According to Internet resource Ruspress, Alexander Malyshev and Gennady Petrov controlled "Spanish channel" of illegal supply of Russian arms to Iran. Petrov’s discussion with Defense Minister Serdyukov was intercepted by the Americans. Then there were reports in the Spanish press that Petrov’s group was engaged in illegal arms trade and had contacts with senior officials of Russia. After that, reportedly, an attempt was made to revive arms sales to Iran via Algeria. But the cargo ship «Arctic Sea» was intercepted on its way from Kaliningrad (Russia) to Bejaia (Algeria). According to the press, Operation of search and return of «Arctic Sea» was commanded by the Defense Minister Serdyukov personally. On August 19, 2009 Estonian admiral, an expert on the EU in anti-piracy Tarmo Kyuts declared publicly that "Arctic Sea" had been carrying an illegal cargo of weapons for Iran.
Source: rospres.com 11.11.2009
In 1986 Voloshin began to provide various organizations with information support on the export of automobile products for a fee. Then he met Boris Berezovsky, who was at that time head of automobile alliance AVVA. Subsequently, Voloshin became his close business partner and was personal stock exchange agent of the entrepreneur.
Source: Sovershenno Sekretno, 10 August 1999
In 1993-1996 Voloshin served as president of ESTA Corp. JSC. This company was thought to be a mediator in the 1994 sale of Berezovsky's group AVVA shares toChara bank. Media also highlighted Voloshin’s involvement in the transaction between ESTA Corp. and Credit-Moscow commercial bank. The bank sold government bonds in domestic currency amounting to 48,550 thousand dollars. Despite the fact that one of the bonds worth 100 thousand dollars, belonging toAgropromservis LLP, was seized as the property of defrauded investors, the investors of Agropromservis never received their money.
Source: Profile, 12 July 1999
In 1995 Voloshin was vice-president, and in 1996-1997 president of Federal Stock Corporation JSC (FFK). FFK was thought to be the main agent of the Russian Federal Property Fund (RFPF) for holding specialized cash auctions. It was also stressed that this structure lobbied the interests of Berezovsky and Roman Abramovich during privatization of the oil company Sibneft. Joint Stock Corporation Ltd. (OFK) was mentioned as linked too Voloshin. In September 1997 OFK was bought by Berezovsky’s AVVA. In addition, in 1995-1997, Voloshin also served as president of AK & M. News Agency.
Source: RIA Novosti, 30 October 2003
In November 1997 Voloshin became assistant to Valentin Yumashev, Head of Administration of President Boris Yeltsin. According to media reports, Voloshin joined the Administration on the recommendation of Berezovsky, but there was a version according to which it was Yumashev who helped Voloshin to join the Administration. During that period Voloshin took part in writing the economic program of General Aleksander Lebed who was supported by Berezovsky. General Aleksander Lebed was then a candidate to become governor of Krasnoyarsk Krai and took the post in May 1998.
Source: Kommersant, 20 March 1999
On September 14, 1998, shortly after the August default and dismissal of the government of Sergey Kiriyenko, Voloshin was appointed economic issues deputy head of Presidential Administration. Voloshin regularly wrote memos to Yeltsin in which he analyzed in detail the activities of the Cabinet under the Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov, and evaluated it mostly negative.
Source: Kommersant, 23 March 1999
In the beginning of his activities as head of Yeltsin's administration, Voloshin was charged not only with the preparation of the presidential address, but also with three major objectives: reduction of Primakov’s influence, opposition to the plans of Communists in the Duma to declare impeachment to the president, and removal of Prosecutor General Yury Skuratov, who gained support of the Council of Federation and was no longer under control of the Kremlin.
Source: Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 31 December 1999
After Yeltsin appointed Vladimir Putin Prime Minister and made him his successor, Stepashin, Putin, and Voloshin became a team that, in case of coming to power, was to ensure the safety of the "family". Earlier media called Voloshin Putin's opponent in the Presidential Administration claiming that Voloshin had allegedly hoped to persuade Yeltsin make film director Nikita Mikhalkov his successor. Financing for the project had already been found in the face of the Ministry of Communications and Transneft oil company.
Source: Profile, 05 October 1999
In the short term Voloshin become very influential in the Kremlin. In March 1999 he was called the weakest man to head Presidential Administration, and in 2000 the media reported that after Voloshin began working in the Kremlin, top officials formed a kind of triumvirate consisting of Tatyana Dyachenko, the daughter of President Yeltsin, Yumashev, and Voloshin. Stubborn, tough and hardworking, Voloshin played the role of mediator for implementing decisions of the "power triangle". In his ability to weave complex intrigues he outwitted even Berezovsky.
Source: Profile, 12 July 1999
In 2000, according to media reports, Voloshin was adviser to Putin during his campaign and took part in the "shadow leadership" of the election headquarters, the official head of which was Dmitry Medvedev. None of the decrees or orders of the President were not issued without Voloshin endorsing it.
Source: Vedomosti, 07 March 2000
In 2002 Vyacheslav Aminov, Voloshin’s adviser, was arrested while trying to bribe Nikolay Patrushev, the FSB director. According to rumours, a collection of amateur videos, compromising Voloshin, was seized from Aminov. This, however, did not prompt the dismissal of chief of Presidential Administration.
Source: Novaya Gazeta, 30 October 2003
The October 25, 2003 arrest of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, head of Yukos, led to a political crisis in the Kremlin. Voloshin, angered by the fact that he had not been informed of the planned arrest of Khodorkovsky, informed the President on October 25 about his intention to resign, and Putin did not try to talk him out of it.
Source: Kommersant, 29 October 2003
According to media reports, Khodorkovsky, after the onset of law enforcement agencies on his company, was counting on Voloshin’s support, and if Voloshin had resigned earlier, after the July 2003 arrest of Platon Lebedev, the head ofMENATEP, Khodorkovsky would have understood the signal and left the country.
Source: NEWSru.com, 28 July 2003
In July 2005 Berezovsky, who was hiding from prosecution in London, made accusations against Voloshin. He announced that in 2000 he and his business partner Badri Patarkatsishvili was sold to Roman Abramovich their stake in Sibneft,Russian Aluminum, and ORT TV network at a lower price. Berezovsky said that he was forced to sell his assets at unprofitable prices under pressure from Putin, Abramovich, and Voloshin. "In fact, they used racketeering against me," he said claiming that he had evidence revealing political motivation in the actions of the mentioned officials.
Source: Kommersant, 05 July 2005
In 2005 Voloshin was involved in a scandal which sprang because of the report of the committee headed by Paul Volcker, former chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve. The commission responsible for investigating possible corruption in the implementation of the UN Oil for Food programme in Iraq (1996-2003), determined that Saddam Hussein received from foreign partners about 1.8 billion dollars in bribes for granting benefitial contracts and rights to purchase Iraqi oil. Volcker's list included 2,400 companies from around the world. Among the Russian mediators, which, according to Volcker's commission, paid bribes to Iraqi officials, there were, in particular, Liberal Democratic Party top official Vladimir Zhirinovsky, and Communist Party head Gennady Zyuganov, the representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, and Voloshin.
For Voloshin the scandal was resolved in a good way. It turned out that his signature on the documents was forged, which resulted in a scandal about forging Voloshin’s signature.
Source: Kommersant, 29 October 2005
In November 2008 Voloshin was involved in the settlement of the shareholder conflict in Norilsk Nickel Mining and Metallurgical Works. Vladimir Potanin, Interrosinvestment company president and chairman of the board of directors of NorilskNickel (30%), and Oleg Deripaska (via Rusal he owns a blocking stake) became forced partners of the Mining and Metallurgical Works. As a result of their disagreement over the consolidation of the company, none of the parties could implement its plans, and Norilsk Nickel CEO Vladimir Strzhalkovsky even offered the state to buy out Rusal’s blocking in the plant. However, in November Potanin announced that the conflict of shareholders was put an end to. It was reported that the parties intended to maintain a coherent policy on all major issues. Principle of parity would be introduced to the board of directors of the company, with Voloshin becoming a board member as a representative of the state. On December 26, 2008 during a Norilsk Nickel shareholder meeting Voloshin was elected chairman of the board of directors.
Source: Vedomosti, 27 November 2008
An annual meeting of Norilsk Nickel shareholders was held in late June 2010 to elect new board members. Vasily Titov, first deputy chairman of the board of trustees of VTB, became chairman of the board, whereas Voloshin was no longer even on it.
Source: Kommersant, 29 June 2010
In September 2010 Voloshin was elected chairman of the board of directors ofUralkali OJSC, the major shareholders of which are Suleiman Kerimov who owns 25%, Aleksander Nesis who owns 13.2%, Filaret Galchev who owns 13.2%, and Dmitry Rybolovlev who owns 10%.
Source: RBC, 20 September 2010
On April 1, 2011 Voloshin returned to the post of chairman of the board of directors in Norilsk Nickel, but at the meeting of shareholders, held on June 21, 2011, the post was given to Andrey Bugrov, Interros deputy CEO. Voloshin remained an ordinary member of the board of directors.
Source: The Russian Mafia, 21 June 2011
