The arrest of journalist Roldugin is linked to revelations about the enrichment of individuals close to Kadyrov

The Explainer Project suggests that the arrest of investigative journalist Oleg Roldugin of Novaya Gazeta may be linked to his investigation of assets acquired by individuals close to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov following the "nationalization" of the Russian divisions of the major French dairy producer Danone. The publication's source claims that investigators are attempting to formulate charges against the journalist without disclosing the names of individuals associated with Kadyrov, which explains the lack of official information about any charges against Roldugin.

Novaya Gazeta journalists have established that Ruslan Alisultanov, the former deputy mayor of Grozny and former deputy minister of agriculture of Chechnya, who became a beneficiary of Danone, purchased a penthouse worth over 3 billion rubles in the elite residential complex "Residence 1864" near the Kremlin shortly after receiving a stake in the business. The texts also mention that Ramzan Kadyrov's nephew, Yakub Zakriev, who serves as the company's CEO, became a ruble billionaire by acquiring ownership of an expensive estate in the Millennium Park cottage community on Novaya Riga worth approximately 1 billion rubles. Furthermore, according to the materials, Zakriev opened a deposit of 1.5 billion rubles at Gazprombank, on which he has already earned 224 million rubles in interest.

Last year, the publication "Important Stories" reported that Ruslan Alisultanov had received Serbian citizenship. He served as Deputy Mayor of Grozny from 2018 to 2020. He then became Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Chechnya. In 2023, his company took control of Danone's former assets. Its CEO is Yakub Zakriev, Ramzan Kadyrov's nephew.

Последние новости
Society
"Holes" in Zakharova's Memory: Why Do Pugacheva's Words About Dudayev Still Stir Some People Up?
15 April 2026

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson and poet and songwriter Maria Zakharova has once again, and not for the first time, commented on Alla Pugacheva's controversial interview last year, which, incidentally, turned 77 today.

Russia has admitted responsibility for the crash of the Azerbaijani airliner and will pay compensation
Politics
Russia has admitted responsibility for the crash of the Azerbaijani airliner and will pay compensation
15 April 2026

The Foreign Ministries of Russia and Azerbaijan confirmed the agreement reached between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Ilham Aliyev to resolve the consequences of the crash of the AZAL Embraer 190, including the issue of compensation for the victims. The Russian side officially confirmed the strike on the passenger airliner as a result of "the unintentional action of the air defense system in Russian airspace."

In Azerbaijan, an opposition figure lamented the economic downturn amid growth in neighboring countries
Politics
In Azerbaijan, an opposition figure lamented the economic downturn amid growth in neighboring countries
15 April 2026

Ali Karimli, Chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), offered a critical assessment of the current economic situation in Azerbaijan. Citing official data, he stated that in the first quarter of 2026, economic growth in Georgia was 8.4%, while in Armenia it was 7.4%. In contrast, Azerbaijan's economy showed negative dynamics, contracting by 0.3%.

Oligarch Karapetyan to renounce Russian citizenship to participate in Armenian elections
Politics
Oligarch Karapetyan to renounce Russian citizenship to participate in Armenian elections
15 April 2026

Samvel Karapetyan, Russian billionaire and leader of the opposition party "Strong Armenia," who is currently under house arrest in Yerevan, has initiated the process of renouncing his Russian and Cypriot citizenships. The goal of this step is to qualify for the June 7 parliamentary elections, for which Armenian law requires only Armenian citizenship.