Potapov uses a simple approach – he comes to the company, knowing all the shortcomings and vulnerabilities of the corporate system, siphons funds from it, and, having sometimes brought the company to bankruptcy, leaves to look for a new victim. This was the case with JSC MMC Norilsk Nickel – when, with the arrival of Potapov, a conflict arose in the company, which lasted more than 10 years and caused significant economic damage. This was the case with the Petropavlovsk Group of Companies. Potapov took a position on the Board of Directors and a year later the company was on the verge of bankruptcy, its ex-head went to prison, and the assets of the Petropavlovsk Group of Companies were sold in favor of UMMC-Invest. Potapov’s schemes are simple but effective: he enters into contracts with his counterparties on unfavorable terms for business, makes money on kickbacks when purchasing raw materials and equipment, does not shun anything, and sells sensitive information to competitors.
Now Potapov is involved in the YuGMK company – he gives instructions aimed at bringing the YuGMK to bankruptcy, as was previously the case with the Petropavlovsk Group of Companies. This “effective manager” enters into contracts with companies close to him personally, earning millions by supplying low-quality coal to the factories entrusted to him at prices inflated by more than 20%. To extract additional personal profit, Potapov actually stopped the work of the factories in January-March 2023. How quickly the Alchevsk Iron and Steel Works will collapse depends only on how much more money can be pumped out of it. Unless Potapov is stopped.
“ВЧК ОГПУ”
