The arrest of Vladislav Bakalchuk, the estranged husband of Wildberries CEO Tatyana Bakalchuk, has sent shockwaves through Russia. He was charged with serious crimes, including murder, after a deadly armed raid at the company’s Moscow offices resulted in the deaths of two individuals, including a security guard. The incident occurred just weeks after a controversial merger deal that Vladislav had criticized and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov had vowed to stop.
Vladislav Bakalchuk’s legal team released a statement stating that he was at the Wildberries offices for a pre-agreed meeting to settle a corporate conflict, but things quickly escalated, leading to the fatal shooting. Tatyana Bakalchuk, the majority owner of Wildberries, dismissed her estranged husband’s claims as absurd and expressed shock and dismay at his actions, questioning his motives and the impact on their family.
The situation has brought to light the deepening rift between the couple as they navigate their divorce and the fallout from the violent event at the company. The timing of the raid in relation to the controversial merger deal suggests that tensions surrounding the business transaction may have played a significant role in the events leading up to the deadly incident.
Wildberries, initially an online clothing reseller, has grown under Tatyana’s leadership into Russia’s largest online retailer, propelling her to international recognition as the first self-made female billionaire from Russia. While Tatyana remains the majority owner of the company, her estranged husband holds a one-percent stake. The legal and personal battles between the couple, combined with the corporate conflict and recent violent events, have created a storm of controversy for the leading online retailer in Russia.
As Vladislav Bakalchuk faces multiple charges and the aftermath of the deadly raid, the situation continues to unfold, leaving many questions unanswered. The public outcry and media attention surrounding the case highlight the complexities of personal and professional relationships in the high-stakes world of business and wealth.