Divorce Dispute Surrounding Russia's Largest E-commerce Company
A shootout occurred during the divorce process between Tatiyana Bakalchuk, the richest woman in Russia and founder of Wildberries, and her husband Vladislav, resulting in casualties.
According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 18th (local time), a shootout broke out at the Wildberries headquarters near the Kremlin in Moscow due to conflicts surrounding their divorce and Russia's largest online retailer Wildberries. Two people died, five were injured, and 28 were arrested in the incident.
Russian police are blocking the entrance of the Wildberries building in Moscow on the 18th (local time). [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]
Tatiyana is of Korean descent with the maiden name 'Kim' before marriage. She founded Wildberries in 2004 while on maternity leave and grew it into Russia's largest e-commerce company with annual sales of $27 billion (approximately 36 trillion won). In July, she filed for divorce against her husband Vladislav, and they have been in conflict over company merger issues.
According to the NYT, Vladislav went to the headquarters with several burly men claiming he wanted to negotiate, but a confrontation occurred with security guards hired by Tatiyana in the lobby, leading to the shootout. Russian news agency TASS released footage showing the men arguing, with at least one of them firing a gun.
Vladislav told Russian economic media RBC that he and his colleagues visited the office to conduct peaceful negotiations regarding warehouse construction but were attacked by security guards at the entrance, resulting in one colleague being injured.
Tatiyana refuted Vladislav's claims. She posted a tearful video and a statement on Telegram, saying there were no plans for negotiations between the two, and that her husband had attempted a failed raid on the company.
Tatiyana and Vladislav have been in conflict over the merger of Wildberries with Russia's largest outdoor advertising company, Russ Outdoor. Vladislav opposes the merger, while Tatiyana holds 99% of Wildberries' shares and Vladislav holds 1%. Tatiyana filed for divorce in July, and Vladislav is demanding half of Wildberries' shares as a settlement for the divorce.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
