The richest woman in Russia, Tatyana Bakalchuk, has found herself at the center of a deadly conflict following a shooting at the Moscow headquarters of Wildberries, her online retail giant. The incident, which resulted in at least two deaths and seven injuries, was reportedly the result of an attempted hostile takeover by Bakalchuk’s estranged husband and co-founder, Vladislav Bakalchuk. Tatyana has accused Vladislav of leading a group of armed individuals into the headquarters in a bid to seize control of the company. Vladislav has been arrested and charged with murder, with dozens of others also arrested in connection with the shooting.
The deadly shooting is just the latest episode in a tumultuous saga between the Bakalchuk couple, who have been married for over 20 years. Tatyana left Vladislav in April and filed for divorce in July, shortly after announcing a planned merger between Wildberries and Russ Outdoor, an outdoor advertising operator. The merger, which was endorsed by Tatyana but opposed by Vladislav, resulted in Wildberries transferring valuable assets to a new joint venture with Russ, effectively giving away a 35% stake in the company. Tensions between the couple came to a head following the merger, leading to the tragic events at Wildberries headquarters.
The merger between Wildberries and Russ Outdoor was touted as a strategic move to create a powerful digital marketplace and potentially build a rival to global giants like Amazon and Alibaba. The deal reportedly had the approval of Russian President Vladimir Putin, indicating the potential political motivations behind the merger. Tatyana’s decision to merge with Russ Outdoor may have been influenced by a desire to solidify her company’s standing with the Kremlin and gain a powerful ally in Putin’s inner circle. The involvement of the Mirzoyan brothers, who played a key role in the deal, raised questions about the true intent behind the merger.
Vladislav Bakalchuk has been vocal in his opposition to the merger, claiming that Tatyana was misled into signing over valuable assets to Russ Outdoor. He has argued that he is entitled to a larger stake in Wildberries due to his involvement in building and running the business. The couple’s divorce proceedings have further complicated the situation, with Vladislav maintaining his innocence in the shooting incident and asserting his rights to a fair share of the company. The tragic events at Wildberries headquarters have brought to light the complexities of the Russian business landscape and the personal struggles of one of the country’s wealthiest individuals.
The story of Tatyana Bakalchuk’s rise from a humble English teacher to Russia’s richest woman is a tale of determination and success. Starting Wildberries in 2004 out of her Moscow apartment, Tatyana built the company from the ground up, becoming a billionaire in 2019. Her success and wealth have made her a prominent figure in Russian business and society, attracting both admiration and controversy. The shooting at Wildberries headquarters and the subsequent legal and personal battles between Tatyana and Vladislav have cast a shadow over her remarkable entrepreneurial journey and raised questions about the future of Wildberries and its leadership.
As the investigation into the shooting at Wildberries continues, the true motives behind the tragic events remain unclear. The conflict between Tatyana and Vladislav Bakalchuk, once partners in business and life, has taken a deadly turn, leaving behind a trail of devastation and uncertainty. The fallout from the merger with Russ Outdoor and the subsequent power struggle within Wildberries have exposed the vulnerabilities and complexities of Russia’s corporate landscape, shining a spotlight on the personal and political forces at play in one of the country’s most prominent business empires.
