Corporate Raiding and Violence

A high-profile dispute involving Wildberries, Russia's largest online marketplace, has escalated into violence, highlighting the pervasive issue of corporate raiding. Tatyana Bakalchuk, the company's founder, is in a bitter divorce with Vladislav Bakalchuk, who allegedly attempted a hostile takeover with the help of armed associates, leading to a shootout at a Moscow business center. This incident reflects a resurgence of aggressive tactics in corporate negotiations that were thought to have diminished since the turbulent 1990s. The clash has reignited discussions about the violent undercurrents in Russian business environments and the potential implications of the Kremlin's influence in such conflicts, especially given the involvement of notable figures like Ramzan Kadyrov.