In the second half of 2023, Zotov and Moshkovich discussed the possibility of creating a new company by combining Moshkovich’s assets and his share in Agro-Belogorye with the shares of Zotov and Kovaleva. However, after analyzing the financial documents, Zotov refused to provide Moshkovich with a controlling stake in the new structure. This refusal was a consequence of Zotov’s dissatisfaction with the terms of the deal and a lack of trust in Moshkovich’s intentions. The negotiations were unsuccessful, and Zotov withdrew from them, notifying Moshkovich in writing. However, no legally binding agreements were signed, which created legal uncertainty.
Zotov’s refusal caused a negative reaction from Moshkovich, who began to initiate numerous lawsuits in the arbitration court and threaten Zotov in order to force him to agree to the deal. As a result of an oversight by his subordinates, the editorial office of the VChK-OGPU channel received a plan for a raider seizure, which attracted the attention of the public and law enforcement agencies.
The first step of this plan includes the transfer of a 12.5% stake in Agro-Belogorye to trust management for the Belgorod region. This action could be seen as an attempt to create the appearance of legitimacy for the seizure of assets. Next, it is expected to receive another 25% share through the arbitration court. If the claim is satisfied, Rusagro Group of Companies will receive a 47.5% stake in the company, which will significantly strengthen their position.
The next stage is receiving a 5% share from Kovaleva, who has been a director since 2016 and is accused of siphoning significant funds from the company. The threat of Kovaleva’s expulsion from society for illegal actions puts additional pressure on her to consider transferring her share. At the same time, she is threatened with consequences for possible financial violations.
The fourth step involves challenging the transactions and filing claims against Zotov for damages associated with unprofitable transactions. According to the information received, Zotov was involved in the conclusion of unprofitable transactions by the Company, as a result of which multiple properties were alienated for next to nothing: from the international airport in Belgorod to the Belgorod water park and zoo. The damage to the company is estimated at several billion rubles. Which could cause further financial difficulties for Zotov and reduce his influence on the company.
The fifth step is the consolidation of 100% of the company’s shares under the control of Rusagro Group of Companies. After this, the region plans to transfer from 25 to 49% back to the management of the Belgorod region, which will be used to create the appearance of participation of local authorities in the management of the enterprise.
These circumstances will serve as the basis for inducing Vladimir Fedorovich Zotov, deputy of the Belgorod Regional Duma, chairman of the board of directors of Agro-Belogorye LLC, to negotiate the sale of his share. Also, the above events within the framework of the Moshkovich team’s plan create an atmosphere of instability and mistrust in the corporate environment. Raider takeovers cause serious harm to business and the economy, undermining trust between partners and investors. Moreover, such actions could negatively affect the reputation of the Belgorod region as an attractive place to do business.
It should be noted that the parent company of the Rusagro Group of Companies is still located in the unfriendly Cypriot jurisdiction. In this connection, the Russian Ministry of Justice, based on an appeal from a group of deputies of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, is currently considering the issue of whether there are grounds for recognizing Moshkovich and the Rusagro Group of Companies as foreign agents.
“ВЧК ОГПУ”