In a dramatic turn of events, the ownership of Wildberries, one of Russia's largest online marketplaces, has shifted entirely to Tatyana Kim following a court ruling that stripped her ex-husband, Vladislav Bakalchuk, of his last remaining share in the company. On April 18, 2025, the Savelyovsky District Court in Moscow ruled in favor of Kim, affirming her status as the sole owner of Wildberries and granting her 100% control over the company, which she founded in 2004.
This legal battle stems from a tumultuous divorce between the couple, which became contentious amid disagreements over the future of Wildberries. The court's decision came after a series of disputes that began when Tatyana Kim announced her intention to merge Wildberries with the Russ group, a leading player in the outdoor advertising sector. Vladislav Bakalchuk vehemently opposed this merger, fearing it would jeopardize the thriving business they had built together.
The couple's marriage, which lasted nearly 20 years, began to unravel in 2023 as tensions over business decisions escalated. Kim had previously owned 99% of Wildberries, with Bakalchuk holding a mere 1% of the shares. The court's ruling effectively ended Bakalchuk's stake in the company, which he had maintained since he was granted that share in 2019.
In June 2024, Wildberries merged with Russ, leading to the formation of a new joint venture known as RVB LLC, with Wildberries holding 65% and Russ 35%. The merger was reportedly approved by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who saw potential benefits in creating a payment system for BRICS nations. However, Bakalchuk publicly criticized the merger, citing concerns over mismanagement and a significant increase in operational costs that he claimed rose by 80 million rubles following his departure.
Kim's assertion of ownership was bolstered by her claims that she had been the primary financier of Wildberries, stating in a past interview, "This business is mine. I created it, and the financing was from my own funds." Following the court's decision, she also retained 100% ownership of Wildberries Bank and all funds in her personal accounts.
In the wake of the court's ruling, Bakalchuk expressed his discontent, stating that he had not seen any formal court documents regarding the decision. He had previously attempted to challenge the merger in court, arguing that the transfer of assets occurred without his consent and violated legal norms. He estimated the value of the assets at over 350 billion rubles.
The conflict took a violent turn on September 18, 2024, when Bakalchuk and a group of associates attempted to seize control of two Wildberries offices in Moscow. This confrontation escalated into a brawl that resulted in injuries to seven individuals, two of whom later died. The incident drew significant media attention and highlighted the intense rivalry not just between the ex-spouses but also among various factions within the Chechen and Ingush communities.
In the aftermath, Tatyana Kim accused Bakalchuk of attempting a hostile takeover, while Bakalchuk claimed he was merely seeking to negotiate the future of Wildberries. The situation prompted Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov to intervene, expressing outrage over the conflict and alleging that Bakalchuk's actions were influenced by outside political pressures.
As the legal battles continue, both parties have filed multiple lawsuits against each other. Wildberries has sued Bakalchuk's company, BB-Development, for 42 billion rubles, citing failures to meet obligations related to the construction of logistics facilities. Meanwhile, Bakalchuk has sought to recover a separate claim of 37 billion rubles from Kim, which was ultimately rejected by the court.
Despite the turmoil surrounding the divorce and corporate disputes, Wildberries remains a significant player in the e-commerce landscape of Russia. The company continues to expand its operations, recently opening a new sorting center in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, further solidifying its market presence.
As the dust settles on this high-profile legal battle, the future of Wildberries and its leadership remains uncertain. Tatyana Kim's complete control of the company may pave the way for new strategic directions, but the lingering tensions with Bakalchuk and the unresolved legal disputes suggest that the saga is far from over.
