A friend of Putin's head of security has begun buying up assets in Russia's fuel market
Umar Kremlev, a businessman close to Vladimir Putin’s head of security, has begun buying up assets in the Russian fuel market amid a fuel shortage.
In late August, the “International Investment Group,” owned by Kremlev, acquired a 50% stake in each of the companies “Urban” and “Oilgroup.” The former operates an oil depot in the Chelyabinsk region, while the latter is involved in fuel trading and transportation.
The companies may be linked to the Tamic Energy gas station network, which includes more than 100 stations in the Urals, as well as in the Moscow and Kaluga regions. A MIG representative confirmed the acquisition of stakes in the companies but did not disclose the terms of the deals.
The acquisition of these assets is taking place against the backdrop of a fuel crisis in Russia, which is linked, in particular, to Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries. The Russian Fuel Union had previously reported limited fuel availability for independent gas stations.
Kremlev met Alexei Rubezhny, head of the Russian president’s security service, in 2010 after joining the pro-government biker club “Night Wolves.” Previously, the businessman went by the surname Lutfulloev and had been convicted twice for extortion and assault.
Source: The Moscow Times
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