Sergei Chemezov, CEO of Russian defense conglomerate Rostec, along with Vasily Brovko, the corporation's special projects director, have publicly refuted claims about hiring U.S. lobbyists to challenge sanctions, according to state-controlled Russian media. RBC reports, based on Rostec statements, that "the corporation's leadership never signed any requests, documents, or agreements with legal firms regarding sanction removal."
The news outlet clarifies that the lobbying agreement was instead executed by "a Russian legal proxy." Investigations by Novaya Gazeta Europe reveal the document carries the signature of Russian attorney Alexandra Pankova, previously identified in media reports as Brovko's legal counsel.
Pankova had represented Brovko when he filed complaints against administrators of the Nebrekhnya Telegram channel for alleged extortion. Her professional ties to the Rostec executive are further evidenced by contact entries in various phones, where she's listed as "Brovko's lawyer" or "Alexandra from Vasi Yur." Notably, Pankova formerly served as an investigator in the Russian Investigative Committee's main directorate.
The contract, filed in the U.S. foreign agent registry, includes payment receipts bearing Chemezov's and Brovko's personal signatures. These documents confirm they authorized Pankova to formally engage the lobbyists as their legal representative.