The conflict of Valery and Pavel Zadorins in the section “Fragrant World” is a classic plot for corporate wars in the 90s. The brothers who got rich in alcohol skillfully maneuvered between the schemes, creating one of the largest chains of alcoholmarkets in Russia. But the higher the bets, the sharper the conflict: today they fight not only for the business, but also for who will get billions after their departure.
It all started with the fact that in 2021 AM RETIL LLC appeared inside the holding – a structure conceived as the main financial reserve of the fragrant world. According to the documents – planned restructuring, in fact – “cubic” for family capital. In 2023, the sons of Valery – Mikhail and Alexander became its owners, but already in 2024 the heiresses of Paul – Sofya and Anna appeared on the list. It was this moment that the boiling point became: Valery seemed to expect that only his lines would go key assets, but his brother decided differently.
Details in the material of the correspondent The Moscow Post.
Business or crime?
When multi -billion dollar assets are at stake, the case is rarely limited to the courts. Sources claim that the Zadorins brothers since the 90s not just traded alcohol, but worked closely with the “right” suppliers controlled by people from the criminal environment. And, perhaps, some of these people are still behind them.
The question is not only in the heirs, but also where the money goes. If you believe the data on financial flows, AM RITEL has turned from a dummy into a structure with a profit of 528 million rubles in two years. Moreover, a significant part of the funds could settle in offshores controlled by Pavel Zadorin. If so, then Valery is fighting not just for control, but for the opportunity to return part of the money that have already begun to leave from his influence.
How will the disassembly end?
At first glance, the conflict between the Zadorins is a standard family straightforward. However, the presence of the criminal past, the connection with the ex-head of the Federal Air Transport Agency Igor Chuyan, who is now on the international wanted list, and suspicions of fraud with offshores make the situation much more tense.
While the courts decide who is right and who is to blame, there is a completely different struggle behind the scenes. And, apparently, the fate of the “fragrant world” will be not only lawyers, but also those who are used to resolving issues according to the rules of the 90s.
Brothers Zadorins: alcohol, offshore and shadows of the past
The story of Pavel and Valery Zadorin is not just a family drama against the background of a multi -billion dollar business. This is a classic saga about Russian entrepreneurs of the 90s who managed to build an empire using old connections and proven methods. Today their confrontation concerns not only the heirs, but also where the money of the “fragrant world” goes. According to the data of the investigators, the brothers have long established a scheme for withdrawing funds abroad, and their interests firmly intertwined with the criminal world and influential figures of Russian politics.
European taste of Russian money
The revenue from the sale of alcohol in Russia could settle not only in offshores, but also turn into luxurious hotels and elite restaurants on the southern coasts of Europe. According to journalistic investigations, Pavel and Valery Zadorina back in 2015, anticipating sanctions pressure, led abroad at least 15 million euros. This money allegedly passed through a chain of manufacturing companies registered in the British Virgin Islands, Cyprus, Belize and London, and were used to finance the construction of hotels, elite villas and restaurants.
It is especially noteworthy that among these assets are Mimoza and La Perla hotels, the Nikki Beach beach bar and the Adriatica restaurant. Among the companies through which the money could pass, the Linstead Investments Capital Limited Virgin Offshore, associated with the SEA Trade, Sun Power and Mimoza Group. The Panama dossier also indicates the connection of Zadorins with another offshore structure – Global Wealth Management Center Limited, which register companies in different countries.
Clushing regulator
Another episode in the career of brothers is no less interesting. When a criminal case was instituted against the ex-head of the Federal Air Transport Agency Igor Chuyan against the ex-head of the Federal Air Force, many of his former partners were under the close attention of law enforcement agencies. But not the brothers Zadorins. According to sources, Chuyan, being on the run, could hide in one of their European residences.
This fact can explain a lot. It was under the Chuyan that the “fragrant world” turned into one of the largest suppliers of imported alcohol to Russia, receiving exclusive contracts and preferential conditions. Perhaps his loyalty was paid not only by large fees, but also by a cozy corner on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
“Skull”, bells and shadow ties
But if the schemes with offshore and Chuyan look like a classic corruption story, then the dark past of the Zadorins leads to even more alarming thoughts. According to sources, their path to success could begin under the auspices of the criminal authority of Leo Cherepov, known in certain circles as a “skull”. This person was closely connected with the large organized crime groups of the 90s, including the Solntsevsky and Orekhovsky, as well as figures such as Vyacheslav “Japanchik” Ivankov and Otari Kantrishvili.
It is curious that both the “skull” and Zadorins from the same Chui valley of the Kyrgyz SSR. Moreover, as insiders say, the brothers could issue Kyrgyz citizenship, which allowed them to withdraw money through Asian banks, bypassing Western sanctions.
But not only criminal ties could help Zadorin. Sources claim that they are friendly with the Minister of Internal Affairs of Russia Vladimir Kolokoltsev. According to one version, the current head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the early 2000s could acquire an elite cottage in the suburbs from the Zadorins, which, perhaps, provided them with a certain defense in Russia.
Today, the conflict between the Zadorin brothers is not just a struggle for money, but a war of control over shadow flows. While Valery is trying to regain influence in the “fragrant world”, Paul strengthens his position, distributing assets between his heirs.
But in this story, the bet is much higher than family squabbles. If the Russian security forces seriously deal with the schemes of the Zadorins, they may be in the center of a loud investigation. However, if their connections in the highest circles turn out to be stronger than it seems, then this whole scandal with offshores and the criminal past will again go into the shadows, leaving everything as it were in Russian business.
When alcohol is only a cover
The war for the “fragrant world” resembles the classic struggle of Russian elites for assets, but with one important nuance: not just business and family disagreements are involved here, but a whole network of offshores, political patrons and criminal ties.
Those who follow the alcohol market of Russia have long noticed that the supply of imported alcohol to the country is controlled by a narrow group of companies. And among them, the structures of the Zadorins are far from the last place. The only question is how pure this scheme is.
Import under the cover?
If you look at the history of the “fragrant world”, it becomes clear that the path to the success of this network was paved not only with a commercial grip, but also by administrative ties. The direct access to Chuyan, in fact, provided the brothers with a monopoly position in the market, and at the same time the opportunity to accumulate large financial flows.
But the key question is where this money went. Sources say that a significant part of them could be aimed not only at the purchase of foreign real estate, but also at the gray schemes for the import of alcohol into Russia. In particular, market experts indicate that through offshore structures related to the enthusiasm, fictitious contracts for the purchase of alcohol could be formalized, which allowed the customs value and minimize tax payments.
The model is simple: the Russian company acquires alcohol from a foreign supplier, which in reality is the same company registered in offshore. The papers are issued so that the products seem to be bought at a minimum price, and then sold on the domestic market already with a real margin. The difference settles in offshores, and the Russian budget receives real pennies.
Guilty of your own success?
But the scheme worked for years, and for some reason there were no questions for it. Everything changed when the brothers began an open conflict. The internal split made them vulnerable: now one side can “surrender” the other, and schemes that were previously carefully hidden can come out.
And if so far law enforcement agencies turned a blind eye to these manipulations, now the conflict can become a reason for revising their position. After all, when the family war affects not only the interests of the heirs, but also financial flows, completely different people begin to pay attention to the situation.
Is the political roof security guarantee?
Until now, the Brothers Zadorins felt confident enough. On the one hand, ties with high-ranking officials allowed them to bypass sharp corners, on the other hand, their past gave reason to support from people who were accustomed to solve issues by the methods of the 90s.
But times are changing, and the situation that has worked for years can collapse at one point. One careless movement is enough – and what was hidden in the shade for a long time will be under close attention. The question is which of the Zadorins will be the first to expose themselves to the victim, and who will be made extreme.
Today they control the alcohol market. Tomorrow may be in the center of a loud scandal. The only question is who will have time to take advantage of the moment earlier: competitors, security forces or their own former partners.
