Businessman Andrey Melnichenko, one of Russia’s wealthiest people, transferred 32 billion rubles in 2023 to the Sirius educational center, created at the initiative of Vladimir Putin. The Economist reported this, citing its sources.
According to the publication, the transfer was made after the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office sought to confiscate Sibeko, a company linked to Melnichenko. The Economist says the prosecutors’ claims were withdrawn two months after the donation.
The magazine notes that the 32 billion rubles roughly matches the amount that Melnichenko and affiliated entities had paid for Sibeko years earlier when acquiring the asset.
The businessman’s fortune is estimated at 20.4 billion dollars. In the Russian Forbes ranking, he holds eighth place.
The publication also says that other Russian businessmen made major transfers to Sirius. In particular, after the arrest in Minsk of Uralkali director Vladislav Baumgertner, about 100 million dollars was transferred to the foundation by asset owner Suleiman Kerimov.
In addition, the outlet Proekt wrote back in 2022 that major entrepreneurs were required to contribute at least 1 million dollars annually to the Sirius budget.