Russian metal industrialist and businessman, chairman of the board of directors of OJSC Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works. Doctor of Technical Sciences, Honorary Professor of MISiS.

Photo: http://biografos.ru/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/rashnikov_1.jpg

The main owner of MMK (87.26% of shares) as of December 2013, controlling it, in particular, through his Cypriot companies Mintha Holding Limited (46.26% of shares) and Fulnek Enterprises Ltd (41% of shares).

He was elected as a deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Chelyabinsk Region five times. He is the President of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the Chelyabinsk Region, President of the International Club of Managers named after Peter the Great, President of the Metallurg Holding Company (Magnitogorsk). Member of the Bureau of the Board of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. Chairman of the Russian part of the Russian-Moroccan Business Council. Honorary citizen of Magnitogorsk. Honorary citizen of the Chelyabinsk region.

Biography

In 1974 he graduated from the Magnitogorsk Mining and Metallurgical Institute with a degree in Metal Forming, in 1994 he received a second diploma in the specialty “Production Management Organization”.

He began his career at the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) in 1967 as a mechanic in the metallurgical equipment repair shop No. 2. He worked as an operator, foreman, foreman, shift supervisor, shop manager, and head of the production and supply department.

In 1991, he was appointed chief engineer and first deputy general director. Since 1997, he headed OJSC MMK as General Director. Since April 2005 - Chairman of the Board of Directors. Since 2006 - President of MMK Management Company LLC.

Awards

• Medal "For Labor Valor" (1986)
• Order of Honor (Russia) (1995)
• Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree (1998), III degree (2004) and II degree (2013)
• Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh (2001)
• Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow (2005)
• FNPR medal “100 years of trade unions in Russia.”
• Prize of the Government of the Russian Federation in the field of science and technology (2001 and 2002)

Ranks

• Honorary Citizen of Magnitogorsk (1999)
• Honorary Citizen of the Chelyabinsk Region

Personal life

Married. Has two daughters Olga and Tatyana.

Condition assessment

In 2010, the Russian magazine “Finance” estimated Viktor Rashnikov’s fortune at $8 billion (fourteenth place in Russia).

The American economic magazine Forbes in 2011 estimated Rashnikov’s fortune at $11.2 billion, which corresponds to 11th place in the list of the 200 richest businessmen in Russia.

Forbes magazine's previous wealth estimates:

Index	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Net worth ($ billion)	7,0	10,4	2,5	9,8	11,2
Place (in the world)	104	73	261	71	70
Place (in Russia)					11

This luxurious palace complex, located in the elite village of Riita on Rublevo-Uspenskoe Highway in the Moscow region, was discussed immediately after its publication in Architectural Digest. The magazine does not disclose the name of the owner, but, as journalists found out, 6,000 square meters of palace-type real estate, as well as the surrounding territory, belong to a person whose full name completely matches the data of the head of the board of directors of the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works, Viktor Filippovich Rashnikov.

The initials are the same

The cadastral value of a plot of 278 acres, as Dozhd journalists found out, is 142 million rubles. This is confirmed by Rosreestr data. Owned by Viktor Filippovich the site has been located since 2005, the main attraction is a luxurious mansion with an area of ​​5,000 square meters and a cadastral value of 130 million rubles.

There is no one to ask directly, “Is this your palace, Viktor Filippovich?”: Press Secretary of Magnitogorsk Dmitry Kuchumov stated that he gives comments only about the activities of the plant, and to contact directly Viktor Rashnikov the journalists couldn't.

Viktor Rashnikov became chairman of the board of directors of MMK in 2005. He began his career there, in 1968, as a simple mechanic. The breakthrough in his career coincided with perestroika: in 1991, Rashnikov became deputy general director, and in 1997 he himself headed the plant. After that, as Dozhd reports, he began buying up shares of Magnitogorsk Metallurgical and by the 2000s acquired a controlling stake in one of the world's largest steel production enterprises; Rashnikov owns 87.27% of the shares of MMK through the company Minta Holding Limited.

In parallel with business, Viktor Rashnikov also built a political career: in the 2000 elections, he was the candidate’s confidant Vladimir Putin, was twice (in 2003 and 2007) elected to the State Duma from the United Russia party, but then refused his deputy mandate. Rashnikov was also successfully elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Chelyabinsk Region (five times, to be precise). Combining legislative activity with entrepreneurial activity, Viktor Rashnikov does not receive a salary in parliament, and, accordingly, does not submit income declarations to the Legislative Assembly. However, according to the publication 74m.ru, in 2007 he declared 293 million rubles. It is not possible to obtain more recent data, even by appealing to the Anti-Corruption Law. “We called on deputies to submit declarations, but we can’t do anything more. We hope that deputies realize the degree of responsibility to voters.”,” the head of the press service of the Legislative Assembly of the Chelyabinsk Region commented on this situation at one time. But there is Forbes data: the magazine estimates Viktor Rashnikov’s fortune at $3.8 billion, placing him in 23rd place in its ranking of the country’s richest businessmen.

Strictly confidential construction

The palace in the village of Riita, as mentioned above, was the first to be assessed by experts from the specialized architectural magazine Architectural Digest (the September publication in the Russian version repeats the article from the June Italian issue of 2015). According to the publication, the palace (that’s what the author of the text calls it Gilles Dyer) was designed by a famous French architect of Lebanese origin Joseph Karam. Both Arab sheikhs and Russian oligarchs who want to acquire luxury real estate while maintaining maximum confidentiality often approach him with orders. Foreign media indicate that Joseph Karam’s portfolio also includes an estate near Moscow with an area of ​​65 thousand square feet. The French architect involved many performers in its creation: artists, cabinetmakers, art forging masters, sculptors, drapers, etc. According to AD, orders were distributed to hundreds of art and craft workshops.

Dozhd found another mention of these luxurious interiors on the specialized portal Archreview: there they name the author of the palace-style estate design Olga Terentyeva. Dozhd tracked down the designer, but was unable to obtain additional information - Olga refused to comment, citing confidentiality requirements.

The Karam Architecture company operated in Russia from 2005 to 2015, but had to cease operations due to the financial crisis and the resulting lack of new orders. The project in the Moscow region, however, was successfully completed: as a source familiar with the activities of Karam Architecture told Dozhd, this happened back in 2010 (“six years of design and titanic work,” writes AD). The development of the project, according to this informant, was carried out in France, and directly in Russia Karam carried out general design supervision.

A broker from the KalinkaGroup country real estate department was asked to evaluate luxury real estate and the Dozhd plot Innu Leshchiner. In her opinion, the cost of such a house with a plot can reach up to 70 million dollars; you can try to sell it for 80-90. True, it will be very difficult to find a buyer right now.

There is something to see

According to the description given in AD, the palace in Riita consists of 118 rooms, decorated and furnished by French and Italian craftsmen. The owner’s artistic preferences are reflected in the collection of paintings and art objects: in particular, the publication writes about a painting by a Russian avant-garde artist of the early twentieth century El Lissitzky, vases made by Russian masters of the 19th century (presumably, their auction value may exceed $2.5 million) and other rarities.

Large living room of the estate “It is crowned by a thirteen-meter-high dome, and the rotunda underneath, decorated with marble columns, opens into the private rooms and apartments of the owner himself, his daughters and grandchildren. The perfection of decoration, carefully calculated showiness and emphasized luxury are reminiscent not of today, but of an idealized past.”, - Dozhd quotes from an enthusiastic description in AD.

“Riita” is indeed a village with history; in Soviet times, the party elite rested there. Today, the village on Rublevsko-Uspenskoye Highway is built up with mansions of the new Russian elite, designed, according to the rublevka.ru website, “in various architectural designs.” The design of the Palladian-style palace, which is believed to belong to Viktor Rashnikov, clearly expresses a nostalgia for imperial Europe: there is a swimming pool in the style of the Parisian Grand Palais, and benches made of Carrara marble, vases from the Regency era, furnishings in the spirit of the Second Empire. The office of the owner of the mansion, decorated in the French Empire style, copies the office of Napoleon the First in Malmaison.

If Dozhd’s assumptions are correct, and the palace in Riita really belongs to Viktor Rashnikov, Napoleonic plans in Rublev's reality there is someone to build for: after all, we can already talk about a dynasty of billionaires. Rashnikov’s two daughters, according to him, are successfully engaged in business. The youngest of them, Olga, is on the board of directors of MMK; her personal capital, according to Forbes, is $3.5 billion (30th place in the ranking of billionaire heirs). The grandchildren are also growing up. This is where you start thinking about real estate. You need to live somewhere! And, preferably, to live well - inhaling the “healing air of centuries-old pine forests” and crunching on French bread at the Napoleonic table.

OJSC "Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works" is one of the world's largest steel producers, the leader of Russian ferrous metallurgy enterprises. Previously bore the names: Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works named after. I.V. Stalin, Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works named after. V. I. Lenin, PA Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works named after. V. I. Lenin." Incorporated in 1992.

Today, MMK's assets include a large metallurgical complex with a full production cycle (from the preparation of iron ore raw materials to deep processing of ferrous metals).

In 2015, MMK produced 12.2 million tons of steel and 11.2 million tons of commercial metal products. MMK Group's revenue for 2015 amounted to $5.839 billion, EBITDA - $1.668 billion.

Rashnikov Viktor Filippovich was born on October 13, 1948 in Magnitogorsk, Chelyabinsk region. In 1974 he graduated from the Magnitogorsk Mining and Metallurgical Institute with a degree in Metal Forming, in 1994 he received a second diploma in the specialty “Production Management Organization”.

He began his career at the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works in 1967 as a mechanic in the metallurgical equipment repair shop. He worked as an operator, foreman, foreman, shift supervisor, workshop manager, and head of the production and supply department.

In 1991, he was appointed chief engineer and first deputy general director of MMK.

In August 1993, he became one of the founders of JSC Investment Company Inreko (supply and sales activities).

In 1994-1997 - First Deputy General Director of OJSC MMK.

In 1997 - acting General Director of OJSC MMK. In the same year, at a meeting of shareholders, MMK was proposed by the Prime-Leasing company (representing the interests of Trans World Group) and representatives of Inkombank for the position of general director of the enterprise. On the same day he was appointed general director of OJSC MMK. He also became a member of the board of directors of MMK.

On March 13, 1998, he was elected to the board of directors of OJSC Central Company FIG Magnitogorsk Steel.

Since March 1999 - member of the board of directors of OJSC Inkombank, member of the Supervisory Board of OJSC Credit Ural Bank. Member of the Board of Directors of CJSC Magma, created by OJSC Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works and CJSC Tyazhpromexport.

In 2000, Rashnikov was a confidant of Vladimir Putin in the presidential elections of the Russian Federation.

Since June 2002 - member of the board of directors of JSCB Rosbank. At the elections to the State Duma in 2003, he was included in the federal list “Unity and Fatherland - United Russia”. On December 7, 2003, he was elected as a deputy, but refused the mandate.

Since April 2005 - Chairman of the Board of Directors, since 2006 - President of MMK Management Company LLC.

Awarded the title of laureate of the national Peter the Great Prize “For outstanding contribution to the Russian economy” (2000). Recognized by numerous government and public awards. Among them are the medal “For Labor Valor” (1986), the Order of Honor (1995), the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland” IV degree (1998) and III degree (2004), the Order of Peter the Great (2004), Orders of the Russian Orthodox Church: Order of St. Sergius of Radonezh (2001), Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Daniel of Moscow (2005). Three times he was elected as a deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Chelyabinsk region. He is the President of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the Chelyabinsk Region, President of the International Club of Managers named after Peter the Great, President of the Metallurg hockey club (Magnitogorsk). Member of the Bureau of the Board of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs. Chairman of the Russian part of the Russian-Moroccan Business Council. Honorary citizen of the Chelyabinsk region. Awarded the medal “For Labor Valor”, the Order of Honor, the Order “For Merit to the Fatherland”, IV degree. Honorary citizen of the Chelyabinsk region.

In 2010, the Russian magazine “Finance” estimated Viktor Rashnikov’s fortune at $8 billion (14th place in Russia). The American economic magazine Forbes, dated March 10, 2010, estimates Rashnikov’s fortune at $9.8 billion (71st place in the world).

He enjoys alpine skiing, water skiing and hockey. Vladimir Putin prefers to ski at the MMK recreation center in the Chelyabinsk region.

Victor Rashnikov is married. Has two children.
Sources: www.fedpress.ru, “Labyrinth” database

Dossier:

The name of Viktor Rashnikov was associated with a scandal in 1997, when he and his childhood friend, Chairman of the Board of Directors of MMK Rashit Sharipov, removed MMK Director Anatoly Starikov. Sharipov, being the head of the Magnitogorsk Steel financial and industrial group (which was created by Starikov as a holding structure that controls the shares of Magnitogorsk and is controlled by Magnitogorsk) owned at that time 30% of the shares of MMK and wanted to gain full control over the enterprise, for which it was necessary to remove Starikov. Soon a situation favorable for Sharipov arose: Starikov tried to take out a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the strategic development of MMK. Sharipov, Rashnikov and JSB Inkombank presented the situation to the shareholders in a light unfavorable for Starkov, accused him of violating the interests of the plant and achieved his removal. Viktor Rashnikov became the new general director of the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works.
Sources: “Kommersant” No. 172 (3256) dated September 14, 2005, www.pravda.ru dated July 21, 2002

At the end of the 90s, the entire stake in MMK was divided between several owners: the state, the administration of the enterprise, the Magnitogorsk Steel financial and industrial group, some industry enterprises and workers. Subsequently, the shares were bought at cheap prices from the company's employees. The purchase was carried out by shell companies that were established by MMK management, in particular Rashnikov, and whose authorized capital was paid for with MMK shares. Rashnikov tried to seize 30% of the shares of the Magnitogorsk Steel financial and industrial group. He was supported by the Minister of Industry and Energy Viktor Khristenko, who at that time was the vice-governor of the Chelyabinsk region for economics, actually controlled the state stake in MMK (23%) on behalf of the state and covered up the scams of the MMK management. To obtain the remaining 30% of the shares of the financial industrial group, Rashnikov and the management of MMK created in advance a failed construction plan at MMK Stana-2000. For construction, a loan was taken out from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which Khristenko lobbied for. Because of the loan, a split began between the chairman of the board of directors of MMK and the general director of the financial and industrial group Sharipov and Viktor Rashnikov, who was the general director of MMK. Sharipov opposed the enslaving loan, the collateral for which was a 30% stake in the financial industrial group. Realizing that it was impossible to repay the loan, Sharipov wrote off MMK shares in favor of companies controlled by entrepreneur Iskander Makhmudov. Rashnikov, through the court, declared the transactions void - the prosecutor of the Chelyabinsk region, Anatoly Bragin, also helped him in this. A criminal case was opened against Sharipov on charges of fraud. Later, the A-Capital company became the nominal holder of 30% of the shares of the financial industrial group.
Sources: www.compromat.ru, Vedomosti dated March 27, 2007

In May 2002, Rashnikov tried to introduce amendments to the plant’s charter through the board of directors, strengthening the position of MMK’s management. The changes provided for the issue of an additional issue of shares and the possibility of converting preferred shares into voting shares. However, the state and Southern Kuzbass, whose shares in MMK could have been diluted as a result of this additional issue, united their votes and blocked Rashnikov’s initiative.
Source: www.ko.ru

In August 2002, OJSC Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works released consolidated financial statements in accordance with international standards. The document stated that some members of Viktor Rashnikov’s family have a serious financial interest in Profit CJSC, which provided 85% of the scrap supplies to the plant. In 2001 alone, the plant purchased $63 million worth of scrap from Profit.

The owner of the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK), Viktor Rashnikov, first came to the enterprise in 1967. The future billionaire and native of Magnitogorsk, whom the locals nicknamed “Filippych,” got a job in the repair shop of Magnitogorsk as a simple mechanic and methodically climbed the career ladder. In 1991, he became the chief engineer of MMK, and six years later he headed the plant. At the same time, Rashnikov bought shares in Magnitogorsk and in the 2000s became the owner of a controlling stake.

In the struggle for the plant, the metallurgist went through many corporate wars. Rashnikov's opponents were the structures of the Trans World Group of the Cherny brothers, a billionaire, the owner of Mechel and a mining magnate. Retaining control over the plant, Rashnikov took MMK to an IPO in 2007, which brought in $1 billion.

In 2011, Rashnikov stepped away from the operational management of MMK, transferring control to the then general director of the plant. In 2014, Dubrovsky, who worked at MMK for more than 35 years, became governor of the Chelyabinsk region. In March 2019, he resigned.

Rashnikov himself is no stranger to politics. In the 2000 presidential elections, he was a confidant of Vladimir Putin. Metallurgist was elected to the State Duma twice (in 2003 and 2007), but both times he refused the mandate. In 2010, Rashnikov became a deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Chelyabinsk Regional Duma for the fifth time.

Rashnikov is a passionate hockey fan; since 1999 he has been the president of the Magnitogorsk hockey club Metallurg.

Rashnikov’s youngest daughter Olga has been on the Board of Directors of Magnitogorsk since 2012. The eldest daughter Tatyana also worked for MMK at one time and was responsible for foreign sales.

Education Magnitogorsk Mining and Metallurgical Institute (1974).

Deal In February 2019, Rashnikov bought from Mikhail Gutseriev the main share of the project to build a luxury hotel on Tverskaya Street on the site of the former Central Hotel.

Event Immediately after the collapse of a residential building in Magnitogorsk on the night of December 31, 2018, Rashnikov flew to the city and stayed at the scene of the tragedy for nine days.

Court Rashnikov's Snapbox company in Cyprus from the structures of Alexander Chigirinsky $134 million in dividends from the sale of their joint project - the Evolution tower.

Detail In 2016, the media reported on MMK’s plans to merge with Severstal. MMK denied them.

Toy Rashnikov's 140-meter yacht Ocean Victory ranks 11th on the list of the largest yachts in the world. On December 2, 2016, the Ocean Victory yacht (76 m) that previously belonged to Rashnikov was arrested in the Netherlands at the request of the Swiss authorities, who were investigating the current owner of the boat, the vice president and son of the President of Equatorial Guinea, Teodorin Obiang.

Billionaire, Chairman of the Board of Directors of OJSC Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works, President of LLC Management Company MMK

Biography

Viktor Filippovich Rashnikov was born on October 13, 1948 in the city of Magnitorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, into the family of a worker at the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK).

Education

• He studied at the mechanical department of an industrial technical school. Upon graduation in 1967 (or 1968), Rashnikov became a mechanic at the sheet-rolling shop No. 5 (according to other sources, a mechanic at the metallurgical equipment repair shop), and remained in this job until 1970. At the same time, starting in 1967, he studied at the evening department of the Magnitogorsk Mining and Metallurgical Institute named after G. Nosov, and subsequently transferred to the full-time department. Rashnikov graduated from the institute in 1974 with a degree in metal forming.
• In 1994, Rashnikov received a second diploma in the specialty “Production Management Organization” from the Magnitogorsk Mining and Metallurgical Academy (formerly the Mining and Metallurgical Institute).
• Back in 1996, Rashnikov defended his PhD thesis at the Magnitogorsk State Mining and Metallurgical Academy in the form of a scientific report on the topic “Improving end-to-end technology for the production of rolled products from structural steels in order to improve product quality.” In 1998, Rashnikov presented a doctoral dissertation at the same educational institution, transformed into Magnitogorsk State Technical University, on improving the “steel-rolled-metal products” system to produce competitive rolled steel and products made from it, and received the degree of Doctor of Technical Sciences.

Career

• In 1974, Rashnikov became an operator in sheet rolling shop No. 5.

Subsequently, he was a foreman at the delivery of hot metal in the crimping shop No. 1 (in 1974-1976), an adjusting foreman in shop No. 1 (in 1976), a shift supervisor in rolling shop No. 9 (in 1976-1979),

head of rolling shop No. 9 (in 1979-1983), deputy head of the production department of the plant (in 1983-1985). In 1985, Rashnikov acted as head of the section rolling shop.

• In 1985-1986, Rashnikov was deputy chief engineer of the plant - head of the production department,

in 1986-1990 he worked as deputy chief engineer of the plant - head of the production and supply department.

In 1990, Rashnikov became Deputy General Director of MMK: until 1991 he headed the production and supply department of MMK, in 1991-1992 he was chief engineer,

in 1991, he received the position of first deputy general director of MMK Investment Company "Inreko", specializing in supply and sales activities.

• In 1997, Rashnikov became the general director of OJSC MMK (his candidacy was proposed by Prime-Leasing and Inkombank, which represented the interests of Trans World Group), and remained in this position until 2005.

• Moreover, in fact, by 1999, in addition to OJSC MMK, Rashnikov controlled CJSC Russian Metallurgical Company, Yuzhuralavtoban (road repair and construction), the Russian Bread company, the Abzakovo health and sports complex and a number of other enterprises , whose total assets were estimated at one and a half billion dollars.

In 1998, Rashnikov was elected to the board of directors of OJSC Central Company FIG Magnitogorsk Steel, in 1999 - to the board of directors of OJSC Inkombank and to the supervisory board of OJSC Credit Ural Bank (in 2001-2003 he was also a member its board of directors),

in 2002 - to the board of directors of JSCB Rosbank (remained on it until 2005); In addition, he was a member of the board of directors of ZAO Magma, created by OJSC MMK together with VAO Tyazhpromexport.

• During the period when Rashnikov headed MMK, in the summer of 1998 the plant received a large German loan, the receipt of which, however, was complicated due to the default in the Russian economy that occurred in August of the same year. However, it was indicated that during Rashnikov’s tenure as head of the plant, the decline in production at MMK was stopped, and in the period until 2002, production volumes were even increased by 65 percent.

Political activity

• Since the mid-1990s, Rashnikov has also been involved in politics. In 1994, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Chelyabinsk Region, where he was subsequently re-elected several times.

• In December 1998, Rashnikov became a member of the central council of the All-Russian political public organization "Fatherland", whose leaders were Yuri Luzhkov and Yevgeny Primakov. In 2000, Rashnikov acted as a confidant of Vladimir Putin in the presidential elections of the Russian Federation.

• During the elections to the State Duma of the Russian Federation in 2003, Rashnikov was part of the federal list “Unity and Fatherland - United Russia”, took third place in the regional list “South Ural Group”, but after the elections he refused his deputy mandate.

He also participated in the State Duma elections in 2007, in which he was number two on the United Russia federal list for the Chelyabinsk region. Subsequently, in the Chelyabinsk regional legislative assembly, Rashnikov was a member of the United Russia faction and worked on the legislative assembly committee on industrial policy, fuel and energy complex, transport and communications.

• In 1997, Rashnikov was elected president of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of the Chelyabinsk Region; in 2000, he was elected to the board of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (employers), as well as to the Coordination Council of Domestic Manufacturers.

• By the mid-2000s, MMK management, headed by Rashnikov, gained actual control over almost 100 percent of the company's shares. At the same time, some publications claimed that Rashnikov gained control over a significant part of these assets through the use of administrative resources and pressure on large shareholders. Thus, back in the second half of the 1990s, he actually forced the Magnitogorsk Steel financial and industrial group, headed by Rashit Sharipov, to sell a 30 percent stake in the company. In addition, it was emphasized that Rashnikov’s friendship with Viktor Khristenko, who in the 1990s was the vice-governor of the Chelyabinsk region and then served as deputy prime minister in several Russian governments, could have played some role in gaining control over MMK shares.

• At the beginning of 2005, Rashnikov announced that he was leaving the post of general director in order to focus on strategic issues of MMK's development, the management of which was transferred to the board of directors. In April of the same year, Rashnikov became chairman of the board of directors of the plant. Since 2006, he simultaneously became president of MMK Management Company LLC, to which the executive powers of the plant’s general director were transferred.

In 2007, MMK revealed its ownership structure: as it turned out, by this time Rashnikov controlled 85.55 percent of MMK shares.

• In 2008, Rashnikov, along with a number of other well-known entrepreneurs, was among the founders of the Russian Olympians Support Fund. In December 2008, Rashnikov was included in the new commission on industry and entrepreneurship under the presidium of the United Russia party,

in March 2009 - to the government commission for the development of metallurgy, headed by Igor Sechin.

State

Family

Rashnikov and his wife Tatyana Kuzmina have two daughters who work at MMK, two granddaughters and a grandson (named Viktor after his grandfather). It was reported that Viktor Rashnikov’s younger brother Sergei was the general director of the company ZAO UK Profit, which supplied scrap to MMK.

Hobbies

Rashnikov is fond of water skiing and alpine skiing (according to some sources, Rashnikov’s personal money was used to build a ski slope with artificial snow in the vicinity of Magnitogorsk. In addition, Rashnikov is a well-known hockey fan; since 1999 he has been the president of the Metallurg hockey club.

Compromising evidence

Magnitogorsk for one

Viktor Rashnikov controls 85.5% of MMK shares

Magnitogorsk announced the name of its owner: 85.55% of the plant’s shares belong to the chairman of its board of directors, Viktor Rashnikov. Until 2009, he has the right to buy another 7.37% of Magnitka shares from one of the Deutsche companies

UFG. Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) produced 12.45 million tons of steel in 2006. Revenue according to US GAAP in 2006 was $6.42 billion, net profit was $1.43 billion. 42.44% of the shares belong to Mintha Holding Limited, another 43.11% belong to Fulnek Enterprises Ltd. These companies are 100% owned by Steelnet Ltd. 7.37% - for U.F.G.I.S. Structured Holdings Ltd.

Yesterday, the banks that organized the public offering of Magnitka shares - ABN Amro, Morgan Stanley, Renaissance Capital and Gazprombank - began pre-marketing and held several presentations of the company for investors. In them, the banks also disclosed the ownership structure of MMK, several sources who saw these reports told Vedomosti. It follows from them that 85.55% of MMK shares through Mintha Holding and Fulnek are controlled by the chairman of the board of directors of the plant, Viktor Rashnikov. And in 2009 he may receive another 7.37% stake in Magnitogorsk. It was precisely this package that was purchased from Mintha Holding by U.F.G.I.S. in June 2006. Structured Holdings Ltd (a Deutsche Bank AG group) in a repurchase transaction, reports said. But she is obliged to sell these shares of Mintha Holding back until June 2009. Deutsche UFG and MMK categorically refused to say why this transaction was needed.

Rashnikov’s colleagues have long called him the owner of Magnitogorsk. This year Rashnikov will turn 59 years old, 39 of which are associated with Magnitogorsk. He came to the plant back in 1968 as a mechanic. In 1974 he graduated from the Magnitogorsk Mining and Metallurgical Institute and returned to Magnitogorsk again, but as a foreman. By 1990, he had risen to the post of Deputy General Director of MMK, and in 1997 he replaced Anatoly Starikov as General Director, under whom the plant was privatized.

Rashnikov’s path to Magnitogorsk shares was not easy. For many years, Magnitogorsk had a cross-ownership structure. In 1995, the FIG Magnitogorsk Steel, created by presidential decree and controlled by the plant, bought 30% of the voting shares of MMK at a state auction. The financial industrial group was headed by one of the managers of Magnitogorsk - Rashit Sharipov. He made Rashnikov the general director of Magnitogorsk. But already in 1998, Sharipov, having quarreled with Rashnikov, wrote off MMK shares in favor of companies controlled by businessman Iskander Makhmudov. Rashnikov had to defend the plant in the courts. The criminal case against Sharipov and his arrest helped return the shares to the financial and industrial group, which immediately transferred these papers into the ownership of one of MMK’s subsidiaries.

The end to the struggle for the plant was set in 2004. Rashnikov was buying up shares from the market, and in 2004, MMK’s subsidiaries sold 15.8% of the shares for $306 million, Magnitka disclosed in its reports. The stake was bought by Rashnikov’s company, a metallurgist familiar with the owner of Magnitogorsk is sure. At the end of 2004, Rashnikov bought out the last stakes from the Mechel group and the state. 33.98% of the shares were bought by two companies of the UFG group for $1.7 billion, which, as sources at the plant claimed at the time, acted in the interests of Magnitogorsk management. Subsequently, these shares were gradually transferred to the disposal of Rashnikov’s structures - as he paid off, an investment banker familiar with the structure of the transaction told Vedomosti.

Managers of Russian metallurgical holdings and investment banks in informal conversations expressed the opinion that about 20% of Magnitka shares are controlled by the Minister of Industry and Energy Viktor Khristenko. But in 2005, in response to a direct question from Vedomosti about this, Khristenko said: “Lift up my declaration - there is nothing like that there.” Employees of Magnitogorsk itself have also always denied this.

In the “golden hundred” of Forbes 2006, Viktor Rashnikov is in 16th place ($5.4 billion). But he won’t earn anything from Magnitogorsk’s IPO - all the money will go to the plant, say the bankers preparing the placement. The road show starts on April 9, and the deal itself is planned to be closed by April 23. It is planned to sell up to 13.64% of shares (1.45 billion shares) to investors, the seller of which will be Mintha Holding. But it will then buy back the same additional issue of shares of the plant at the placement price. The option to buy back shares for the organizing banks will be provided from the treasury stake in Magnitogorsk (about 4.4%).

MMK's capitalization on the RTS and MICEX yesterday was about $10.75 billion, and the banks that organized the IPO value MMK at $10-13.5 billion, said investors for whom they had already held a presentation of Magnitka. However, there is no shortage of shares of Russian metallurgical companies on the market, so MMK should not count on a premium to current quotes, notes Uralsib analyst Kirill Chuiko. Trust Bank analyst Alexander Yakubov also predicts the placement price to be around $0.95 per share (about $10 billion per company). This means that during the IPO the plant can attract at least $1.36 billion. With this money, MMK plans to implement a large-scale project - the construction of a “mill-5000” for the pipe industry, which will make it one of the leaders in this market, says Yakubov. This project, together with the construction of a mining and processing plant at the Prioskol deposit, may use funds raised during the IPO, Yakubov concludes.

For supporting Dubrovsky? Oligarch Viktor Rashnikov was reminded how he acquired ownership of Magnitogorsk

OJSC Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK), the largest in Russia, has been experiencing financial difficulties for several years, analysts from the Kompromat-Ural website note. The number of employees of the enterprise is comparable to the population of a rather large city and is about 60 thousand people. Magnitogorsk is almost solely owned by 65-year-old oligarch Viktor Rashnikov (pictured on the right) through his Cypriot companies Mintha Holding Limited and Fulnek Enterprises Ltd. The other day, Mr. Rashnikov and the general public received a public reminder that the legendary Magnitogorsk was privatized at one time in favor of Mr. Rashnikov through criminal and raider methods.

According to the Kompromat-Ural portal, it is no coincidence that the media negativity was splashed out on Rashnikov: it was under his subordination that Boris Dubrovsky worked (in the photo on the left) - now acting. Governor of the Chelyabinsk region, before that he was the general director of MMK, worked at the plant from the age of 17. It is believed that Rashnikov devoted significant resources to elect Dubrovsky in the September elections as head of the region. Intensified opponents believe that the Dubrovsky-Rashnikov tandem will lead the economy of the Southern Urals to disastrous monopolization, and the government to final corruption.

RASHNIKOV’S “MANEUVER,” OR HOW TO SAVE MAGNIKA AT PUBLIC EXPENSE?

The sale of a large deposit to Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) OJSC and the failure to pay top managers the required bonuses indicates that the owner of MMK, Viktor Rashnikov, has serious financial problems. And against the background of this, the “metallurgical king” is actively promoting his “protégé” to the governorship of the Chelyabinsk region...

Is MMK left without ore?

Western sanctions against the Russian Federation and other international restrictions have hit the global market quite hard. And the general negative trend dealt a blow to all those enterprises that depended on world prices.

Now the price of the metal is falling quite significantly. So, for example, only in March 2014, copper prices fell to their lowest level in 3.5 years. So it’s not easy for metallurgists now. But OJSC Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) seems to have critical problems!

So, for example, the board of directors of OJSC Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) decided to sell 100% of Kulmyakovskoye LLC, which holds a license for the right to use subsoil for the purpose of studying, exploring and mining iron ores at the Kulmyakovsky site in the Chelyabinsk region

Is Rashnikov's business running out of money?

This decision is very strange for the management of MMK. After all, MMK’s management previously stated that the provision of its own raw materials is one of the strategic directions for the company’s development, but recently the plant’s management suddenly changed its point of view on this issue.

But the predicted resources of the Kulmyakovsky site have been tested in the amount of 20 million tons! The ores of the deposit are typically skarn-magnetite from poor (26%) to rich (up to 64%), and MMK paid 27.5 million rubles for this deposit. And now Rashnikov is selling such a profitable asset.

But what is the reason for such a refusal to develop subsoil? Or maybe MMK simply doesn’t have enough finances to service new fields?! Or is Rashnikov selling off his assets in order to somehow make ends meet?..

The financial “collapse” of MMK hit top managers

By the way, the fact that MMK has extremely serious financial problems is already confirmed by the fact that the income of the plant’s management has plummeted. Thus, in the first half of 2014, 15 top managers of the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works, members of the board, received only 103 million rubles for their work. But this amount is 4.5 times less than what was paid in the first half of 2013 (RUB 468 million), and includes only wages.

In other words, MMK’s top managers did not receive any bonuses at all! But refusal of bonuses always means serious financial problems in the company.

By the way, MMK suffered a loss of $2.4 billion in 2013 (30 times more than in 2012). Moreover, revenue for 2013 dropped by 12% compared to the previous year to $8.2 billion, and EBITDA decreased by 10.3% to $1 billion. So, it seems that the financial collapse of MMK is obvious.

Rashnikov bets on the governor

But now Rashnikov actively supports the acting governor of the Chelyabinsk region, Boris Dubrovsky. The Chelyabinsk opposition and social activists fear that Dubrovsky will be a governor-lobbyist for the interests of Viktor Rashnikov, who owns MMK. After all, the current acting governor worked at the plant all his life, eventually becoming one of the most “expensive” top managers.

At the same time, there are rumors that Rashnikov sponsors not only the election campaign of the acting governor, but also his expensive leisure time. After all, Dubrovsky vacations in the best hotels in the world, for example, in the only “7-star” hotel in the world - “Burj al Arab”, with corresponding prices.

But where does the “modest governor” get the money for such a vacation? Did Rashnikov plant it?! It is obvious that the owner of MMK, with the help of Dubrovsky, is seizing control over the power and budget of the Chelyabinsk region with one goal - to save MMK. So, it seems that soon money from the treasury of the Chelyabinsk region will go to Rashnikov’s structures under any pretext!

"Raiding" syndrome

But there is nothing strange in the fact that Viktor Filippovich wants to seize power in the region, since he was previously convicted of raiding. The whole point is that, according to rumors, he even captured MMK in a typical “raider manner”! Let us recall that the direct withdrawal of MMK from state assets started at the very beginning of the “dashing 90s”.

And, of course, Rashnikov did not lose his profit, but was one of the first to join the “teardown”. After all, even at the dawn of privatization, MMK shares were purchased from the workers through MMK’s subsidiary, Mekom LLP, which was headed by the head of the MMK privatization department, Rashid Sharipov, a good friend of Deputy General Director Viktor Rashnikov at that time.

Then, having secured the support of Inkombank, Rashnikov became the general director of MMK in 1997. Next, Viktor Filippovich began to take steps towards slowly but surely acquiring all the shares of MMK into his own ownership.

To begin with, he eliminated his main competitors, such as Rashid Sharipov, with whom Rashnikov quarreled over an EBRD loan. Soon, Viktor Filippovich began to transfer MMK shares to structures under his control, and literally “squeezed” all competitors out of MMK. For example, according to rumors, Rashnikov “brought out” the same Sharipov from the game with the help of a familiar prosecutor from Magnitogorsk, Bragin.

But, apparently, the capture of Magnitogorsk alone was clearly not enough for Viktor Filippovich, and now he has set his sights on the entire Chelyabinsk region. So should voters follow Rashnikov’s lead and vote for Dubrovsky? Or do residents of the region really want to help the owner of MMK save his personal business through budget subsidies?!

Another “Claw” has appeared on the Internet - magnetic

The director of Magnitogorsk is accused of fraud via the Internet

General Director of the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) Viktor Rashnikov found himself at the center of a scandal that started on the Russian Internet. The scandal started with the opening of the Magnetic Claw website, which contains documents compromising the management of the enterprise.

In particular, the creators of the site claim that the work of the plant was made dependent on a system of 39 intermediary firms created with the participation of V. Rashnikov and his deputies. Magnetic Claw, citing data from the Federal Tax Police Service for the Chelyabinsk Region, claims that in 1997 alone, settlements with intermediaries led to the plant losing 50 million US dollars.

Kogot names large Moscow companies and banks involved in the theft of MMK funds, as well as companies registered in offshore zones, through which the plant’s foreign economic activities were carried out.

Magnetic Claw notes that today MMK is virtually completely controlled by V. Rashnikov, who has headed production since 1992.

Viktor Rashnikov: “The pride of Russia can be stolen!”

This year, the veteran of the domestic metallurgy, the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works, will turn 69 years old.

Magnitka traces its history back to the late 20s, when construction of a five-year plan began in Magnitogorsk. They built the plant literally with the entire union, and then they all together monitored the labor achievements of its workers. For several generations, Magnitogorsk was a symbol of the Soviet era, songs were written about it, and news of the labor exploits of Magnitogorsk metallurgists did not leave the pages of newspapers. The construction and work of Magnitka was perceived as one of the points on the bright path of the Soviet people to the communist future. And the future is worth the effort. And these efforts were not in vain. Communism was not built, but the enterprise is worthwhile and, moreover, brings good income.

OJSC Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works is one of the twenty largest steel companies in the world and one of the three leading enterprises in the Russian metallurgical industry. OJSC MMK produces the widest range of metal products today among enterprises in the Russian Federation and CIS countries.

So it’s not for nothing that the elders tried. Their brainchild, like ten, twenty, thirty years ago, evokes a fair sense of pride. Everything is the same, except for one thing. The property of all became the property of one. Where did everyone look while this one became the master. What needs to be done so that everyone is just spectators of a performance for one actor? How did it happen that the property of the entire country became the prey of one person? And, finally, who is this giant to whom the country gave such a gift and for what “giant” merits?

Tell me, what is his name?

There are legends about Viktor Filippovich Rashnikov, the General Director of OJSC Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works. There is an opinion (especially among MMK workers) that he started out practically as a simple worker and has now risen to the ranks. Throughout his entire career at MMK, Viktor Filippovich illustrates the stanza from the song “whoever wants will achieve everything, whoever seeks will always find.” And he achieved it and found it.

In addition to those legends that go around the world independently of him, there are legends to the birth of which he himself put his royal hand to work.

For example, a warm, affectionate friendship with President Putin.

Everyone is friends with Putin. In every region of Russia there is a galaxy of close friends of the president. And in a kimono in the photo they stand next to each other, and look in the same direction, and somehow squint the same way. If there is no general photo, you can make a collage. There is an even cheaper option - place two photographs on one page - a photo of Putin and next to it the bright face of his great friend.

But this is if there are no funds. And Viktor Filippovich is not a poor man. In any case, he can organize the “President’s Cup” in judo. And invite Putin to the presentation.

Why does Rashnikov need judo, which is not very athletic? And for friendship.

The current president is as easy to lure into judo as the former president into tennis. And, referring to a personal meeting with Putin, it is easier to convince others of friendship with him. The President is presenting prizes, and behind his back, excuse me, Viktor Filippovich is rubbing himself. It’s not difficult for the President, but it’s nice for Viktor Filippovich. And useful. Now friends forever. And the competent authorities and the media must remember this once and for all. The logic is simple and clear: offending Putin’s friends is the same as criticizing his policies. And who doesn’t approve of her? Everyone approves, so he must be treated with sympathy towards his friends. And who would upset a nice person with sharp questions? Nobody. In any case, there are no willing local journalists.

Bright path

It all started in 1992, when the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works, sharing the fate of hundreds of other enterprises, was privatized and acquired the abbreviation OJSC. Then the property of the plant was valued in shares, and the entire block of shares was divided between several owners. Part of the shares went to the state. A smaller block of shares passed into the hands of the plant administration itself (which supposedly represented the interests of the Magnitka labor collective). Another part was sold to various companies at auctions. And the rest went to the workers of the enterprise.

This is where the “market” transformations at the plant began. And then the mechanisms for purchasing shares from holders came into force. Everything is the same as everywhere else. First of all, in most cases, shares were bought for next to nothing from the company's employees. The purchase was carried out by shell companies, which were established by the management of MMK, and whose authorized capital was again paid for with MMK shares. The activities of these firms were controlled by the head of the enterprise. Then it was Starikov. There was, but not for long. Under the pretext that Starikov’s team had destroyed the plant, Viktor Rashnikov came to power at MMK. And from that moment on, his struggle began for sole and strict control over the property of the plant and the activities of affiliated companies.

In this fight, several stages can be distinguished, which we must give Rashnikov his due; they were performed very technically.

First of all, it was necessary to collect proxies for voting rights from all shareholders. The second important point is the state shareholding (23%). It was necessary to come to an agreement with the people controlling this stake on behalf of the state. Such a person at that moment turned out to be the vice-governor of the Chelyabinsk region for economics, Khristenko (now deputy prime minister of the Russian government). Since then, it is Khristenko who has been performing the functions of government cover-up for the scams of the MMK administration. And for this, of course, he receives a bribe, which is more than enough for all his descendants.

The third task facing Rashnikov at that time was to buy out small blocks of shares through shell companies. Which was also successfully completed. Now almost all the shares that were in private hands have been bought up by Rashnikov’s companies.

And finally, the most important thing is to gain control of 30% of the shares owned by the Magnitogorsk Steel Financial and Industrial Group. A large package automatically begins to attract smaller ones. Having such a package, it is easier to come to an agreement with the workers and the state. The fate that befell this package deserves a more detailed story.

In 1995, by Decree of the President of Russia, the Financial and Industrial Group “Magnitogorsk Steel” was created, the founders of which were enterprises of the automotive industry, the metallurgical complex, banks and, in particular, the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works itself. The latter gave away 30% of his shares as a founders' stake.

The purpose of creating the Magnitogorsk Steel financial and industrial group was to attract investment. One of the primary tasks that the FIG had to solve was obtaining a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The formal reason for obtaining a loan was the construction plan at MMK Stana-2000. On the other hand, many leading economists considered this plan absurd; Shapovalyants and Patrushev opposed it. It was obvious that Magnitka did not need Stana-2000. But the project and the loan, Khristenko lobbied, and he voted together with Rashnikov to receive an EBRD loan.

Mulya, don't make me nervous!

It was because of the EBRD loan that a split began between the Chairman of the Board of Directors of MMK and the General Director of the financial industrial group Sharipov and the General Director of MMK Viktor Rashnikov. Sharipov was categorically against the loan. The EBRD offered Magnitogorsk a loan on enslaving terms. Huge interest rates, a ban on replacements in the personnel of the enterprise's managers - 30 managers could not be fired from Magnitogorsk during loan payments. The last condition was especially surprising, since it was simply not clear what significance the reshuffle among the plant’s personnel would have for the EBRD. But the strangest thing was the condition under which the EBRD received as collateral a 30 percent stake in shares belonging to... Magnitogorsk Steel.

There is a complete lack of logic: firstly, what to do with a manager caught in theft and fraud if he cannot be fired? Secondly, even if he had not been involved in fraud before, then after his presence at the plant ceased to depend on the crystalline behavior of his behavior, there was a high probability that he would start stealing. The main thing is that if Magnitogorsk is unable to pay interest and make payments on time, the EBRD will receive a 30% stake in MMK, which will be completely lost.

It was absolutely clear, and not only to Sharipov, that Magnitogorsk would not be able to repay the loan. The situation at the enterprise, inherited from Starikov, was critical. There was no money available to pay interest to the EBRD. Receiving a loan from him in those conditions meant the transfer of a controlling stake in MMK to the EBRD. And Sharipov opposed the loan.

But at the meeting of MMK shareholders, Khristenko and Rashnikov are pushing through a decision on the block of shares. Sharipov has only one thing left to do - sell shares in order to get at least something. To do this, he first transfers shares to MDM Bank, a series of transactions with securities follows, and as a result, the block of shares ends up with other owners, including individuals.

The latter pay a fabulous sum for a 30 percent stake in MMK. After this, Rashnikov’s sole power at MMK should have come to an end.

The only way out is to invalidate the transaction for the purchase of 30% of shares by individuals.

For this purpose, the MMK administration hires a law firm, whose sole task is to ensure the attendance at court hearings of all persons related to the case. Everything is fine, only the amount provided for the payment of fees to the company is amazing - 10 million dollars. Even American lawyers hardly dream of such fees. But for Magnitogorsk this is normal...

And this is especially normal for MMK. This is not the first time that an agreement has been drawn up with a law firm, for which it then receives a multimillion-dollar fee. In particular, when we were talking about the EBRD loan, a certain law firm received from the MMK administration a “fee” in the region of $12 million for establishing contact with the EBRD. When Sharipov voiced this information at the Board of Directors, they explained to him that the money was used for buffets, presentations and other banquets. They are certainly necessary, but they are much cheaper. That is, these 12 million went to bribes. And the directors themselves received kickbacks when signing papers.

And the long-proven practice of “lobbying” one’s own interests worked this time too. Amazing changes began to occur in the behavior of representatives of law enforcement agencies in the Chelyabinsk region. Among those who especially zealously sympathized with Rashnikov was, for example, the prosecutor of the Chelyabinsk region A. Bragin. One can only guess in which bank Bragin’s account was opened, and what part of these 10 million dollars ended up in him. In any case, the amount is decent so that the position of justice coincides with the position of Viktor Rashnikov.

And therefore, a series of processes began to recognize the above-described transactions as invalid. Their participants, including Sharipov, were accused of fraud and put on the federal wanted list. Well, it goes without saying that in the end the transactions were declared void. Immediately after this, in a strange way, there is no need for the EBRD loan, which was the reason for the whole conflict. The problem is solved - the package is seized from a dangerous competitor, the competitor himself is neutralized.

But, as they say, time heals. And the wounds from the insults inflicted on the representatives of justice began to heal. And Viktor Filippovich calmed down a little. Generosity prevailed in their mood, and some of the criminal cases were closed. As the greatest good, freedom was returned to the offenders. It is not difficult to imagine the joy of these people who can once again walk the streets in peace without fear of being caught and convicted of fraud. Joy, against the backdrop of which it becomes unimportant when they will get back the money they spent during the canceled transaction. The prosecutor's office and Viktor Filippovich themselves are in no hurry to comment on this sensitive topic. But the money was real, and as we already said, big. If they were taken away from those who bought the shares, then they should get their money back. But Viktor Filippovich is clearly not going to give them away.

Let's be clear

This story began with the fact that on the one hand there was a 30 percent stake in MMK. On the other hand, a number of individuals had a very large amount of money. The rich, the happier, and the two parties made a mutually beneficial exchange, during which MMK shares were transferred to individuals, and the holders of the package received money. The parties were satisfied. But there was also a third party to this transaction - MMK director Viktor Filippovich Rashnikov - and this exchange left this party unsatisfied. Viktor Filippovich did not like this exchange, but he really liked the package of shares and money. Law enforcement agencies of the Chelyabinsk region come to the aid of the dissatisfied Rashnikov.

As a result of their intervention, the money of these same individuals disappears, and, characteristically, the notorious 30% stake also ends up somewhere.

You don't have to be Sherlock Holmes to guess where exactly the shares and the money paid for them could have gone. There is no doubt that these two components of the canceled transaction met in the same place - in the caring, zealous hands of Viktor Filippovich.

More precisely, with regard to the package, one can definitely only say that no matter in whose hands it is now, firstly, it is not legal; secondly, Rashnikov still has control over him. For this purpose, he muddied the waters with numerous courts, the decisions of which even lawyers no longer understood.

One can only hope that this ill-fated block of shares will bring at least some benefit to someone. The only pity is that he will not work for those who once, without sparing themselves, built Magnitogorsk. And not for those who work on it today. It is unlikely that the state will see anything from this package.

Now the nominal holder of the shares is the company “A-Capital”. And behind the nominal holder there is someone else. To all questions about who owns these 30% shares, MMK management answers - “A-capital”. Although they understand perfectly well that this is the same as when asked who owns the house, asking the name of the foreman who built it.

But another one has appeared on the list of simple Russian surnames, the bearers of which you don’t have to worry about. The descendants of the proud Rashnikov family are not in danger of starvation, they are not in danger of resting in ordinary pioneer camps, they will not study at the same desk with a mere mortal and eat the same school breakfast with him.

What can we say about the Rashnikovs, if not long ago, during the elections to the Chelyabinsk Regional Duma, one of the candidates for deputies almost fell out of the election race due to the fact that he forgot to indicate in the documents the presence of a land plot in Moscow. He was not removed from the elections, since this plot of land was considered insignificant compared to all his property and income. Well, the man forgot. You can’t remember everything... So, the most interesting thing is that this candidate for deputy was one of Rashnikov’s deputies, Morozov. From the documents of the Chelyabinsk Electoral Commission it is known that Morozov’s annual (legal) income is 900 thousand dollars. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s hard to even imagine how much money is pouring into his accounts illegally. And this is only Rashnikov’s deputy! So, by definition, things should be even brighter for Viktor Filippovich. And he provided for his family for fifteen generations to come! Maybe it’s good to have an impeccable pedigree, being called Rurik. But, judging by Olga Rashnikova, in modern Russia it is better to be not Rurikovna, but Viktorovna!

Prince is good, but dad is better

Do you know that MMK director Viktor Filippovich Rashnikov rubbed the nose of Charles Perrault himself?

Judge for yourself. The French storyteller wrote out a plot that became a ready-made minimum program for girls of all times and peoples. Translated into Russian conditions, the girl’s manifesto looks something like this.

You can be a mess. Live in provincial Magnitogorsk. Today you are Cinderella. But like any Cinderella, you dream of becoming a princess. That is, move to Moscow and become not some provincial girl, but a real girl from the capital. This is where Charles Perrault comes to the rescue, explaining that parents are no help in this matter, and focusing the girls’ attention on the fact that in Moscow there are also young men who can marry you. Simply put, to become a princess, you need to marry a prince.

But the whirlwind of changes in the fate of the provincial girl Olga Viktorovna Rashnikova took her out of the “Magnitogorsk” point and firmly rooted her in the epicenter of the “Moscow” point without any princes. Not a single prince was seen along the route of citizen Rashnikova from Magnitogorsk to Tverskaya, 28. But the entire route the little blood was accompanied by the shadow of his father.

What do you pamper your daughters with? Chocolate, cosmetics, suit, fur coat. Who's wallet allows what. Viktor Filippovich’s wallet approved the gift of three apartments to his daughter in the center of Magnitogorsk. Moreover, the last two fell on the fragile girl’s shoulders one after another. The first one went to Olga Rashnikova on December 6, 1998. But, after consulting his wallet, Viktor Filippovich decided not to skimp and on December 7, 1998, gave his daughter another apartment. Thus, Olga Viktorovna became the owner of apartments No. 94, 95 and 96 in building No. 24 on Naberezhnaya Street in Magnitogorsk with a total area of ​​210 meters.

Another dad would have calmed down for a long time after such gifts, but not the dad who is the director of MMK. On December 23, 1998, three Magnitogorsk apartments are exchanged for 1 Moscow apartment, with a total area of ​​232 square meters. At the same time, the discrepancy between the market value of an apartment on Tverskaya and the estimated price of apartments in Magnitogorsk is striking. It is known about the apartment on Tverskaya that on June 10, 1997, it was purchased from JSC Mospromstroy LLC Dergus Litz for 744,320 US dollars (3,200 per meter).

On November 26 of the same year, another notarial document was issued, according to which Evgeniy Semenets, a resident of Magnitogorsk, becomes the owner of the apartment. It is said that the cost of the apartment was paid for by Dergus Litz LLC. The unprecedented generosity of Dergus Litz LLC turned out to be contagious. And in December 1998, Evgeniy Semenets himself made a broad gesture towards his fellow countrywoman Olga Rashnikova.

In the exchange agreement with Rashnikova, the apartment on Tverskaya was valued at only 1 million 929 thousand rubles (based on inventory value). And this is after the August crisis, when the dollar was worth about 20 rubles. And Olga Rashnikova valued three Magnitogorsk apartments at only 400 thousand rubles cheaper and honestly undertook to pay the difference to Sements.

Let's assume that the entire chain with the acquisition and subsequent exchange of prestigious real estate was planned for a specific person. Such a complex scheme can be explained by a reluctance to “shine” real income, especially if these incomes were not obtained in a completely legal way. Another option is also possible - a certain company decided in this way to thank the right person who showed her some kindness. Real estate often appears in high-profile scandals as a veiled bribe.

Everything is confusing, and only specialists from the competent authorities can understand these schemes. At the moment, one thing is clear: twenty-one-year-old resident of Magnitogorsk Olga Rashnikova has become a real Muscovite. And she owned a huge five-room apartment in the center of Moscow, the estimated real price of which was 700 thousand US dollars.

So Charles Perrault and all his unfortunate princes rest when Cinderella has such a dad, and dad has such a wallet!

Where do the firewood come from?

Where and how the money goes from the wallet of the director of MMK, at least we figured it out. Another thing is more interesting: how do they get there?

Let’s agree right away: no good fairies or other mystical rubbish. Only economics and only facts.

In addition, “their” companies regularly either delay payments or only partially pay for products taken for sale. At the same time, MMK’s management demonstrates constant tolerance in relations with intermediaries. In any case, there has not been a single case of litigation with the management of such a company. The secret of tolerance, apparently, is that their founders are either the director of MMK Rashnikov himself or his deputies. The founder of the Tekhnostil company is Zabolotny, deputy director. In theory, he should have been kicked out of Magnitka a long time ago for such activities, but this is not happening. Another company, “Canares,” is owned personally by Rashnikov. And, of course, he enjoys special benefits and advantages. The company has repeatedly received payment deferrals of up to three months. And according to the Chelyabinsk Federal Tax Service, in 1998 alone, the amount of its contract with MMK amounted to $240 million.

Intermediary firms are provided with commodity loans for a period of 3 to 6 months, while to ensure MMK’s budget and pay salaries, the plant takes out bank loans at 37-50% per annum.

An additional and very generous source of income is the so-called false claims. Some of the goods sent for export are subject to complaints about poor quality. Then MMK additionally and free of charge supplies products in the amount of this part. It goes without saying that the entire product is then sold - both what was originally supplied and what was later received additionally and free of charge. According to an informed source, complaints about MMK products reach $3 million a month (!). While at similar enterprises this figure does not exceed 100 thousand dollars.

The next good way to generate additional income (tax-free, as always) is to manipulate railway tariffs and selling prices for metal. In this case, the offshore campaign “TEK and TRANZIT AG” is used. Clients transfer funds to the campaign account abroad, and the company pays for the services of railway workers. The scheme is so dubious that on August 20 last year, the Tax Police Investigation Department opened a criminal case against TEK AG under articles providing for liability for tax evasion.

Relations with suppliers of raw materials, among whom, of course, there is competition, also allow you to “cut” money. When choosing a supplier, preference is given to those who pay the most. And bribes, of course, do not go to the budget, and not to the enterprise, but to the same place - the wallet of the MMK management. In addition, veiled forms of theft include the supply of coal to a plant at an inflated cost. Through intermediary companies, coal is supplied from Kuzbass at a price of $62 per ton, which is 1.5 times higher than the price of similar coal at NLMK, located 2000 km further from Kuzbass than Magnitogorsk. In 1997 alone, MMK's losses on settlements with intermediaries are estimated at $50 million.

Theft and laundering of funds is carried out through Moscow banks and representative offices of foreign companies, including through Magistral LLC. In July last year, the general director of Magistral Berezov was detained in Moscow, and 283 thousand dollars received using fictitious documents in one of the capital's banks were seized from him.

But appetites grow while eating. And it seemed to Rashnikov that it was not enough to rob only the enterprise. At the moment we can talk about how he and his administration are stealing from every (!) employee of the plant. The fact is that the enterprise has introduced a special payment procedure, in which employees receive only half of their wages in cash, and the other half goes in the form of cards for shopping in the OJSC “Class!” department store chain.

The OJSC with such a life-affirming name owns 13 stores. In all these stores, trading is carried out using cards. Prices for goods there are much higher than in other retail outlets in Magnitogorsk. However, a person who received his salary with cards is forced to go shopping in one of these 13 ill-fated stores. MMK employees are deprived of the opportunity to choose a store for their purchases. Cards are imposed, a store is imposed, an assortment of goods is imposed, a price is imposed for it. Income received from trade in the “Class!” network scroll through “KUBank”. Needless to say, the list of founders of OJSC “Class!” and “KUBANKA” still has the same painfully familiar name – Rashnikov. Besides her, it was interesting to find another name among the founders - the son of the mayor of Magnitogorsk V.G. Anikushina.

And in this whole story, at the moment, only one person is called a swindler - Sharipov, who once crossed Rashnikov’s path.

And yet, not all is well in Viktor Filippovich’s estate. He and the organized crime group formed around him (that’s what the administration of MMK and its like-minded people in the Main Directorate for Organizing Organized Crime in the Chelyabinsk Region are called) are on the tail of the FSNP and the Main Directorate for Organizing Organized Crime.

Instead of an epilogue

What will save the Magnitogorsk king from retribution? “Friendship” with Putin? Attempts to manipulate his representative Latyshev? Bought justice area? A regularly “fertilized” roof represented by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian government Khristenko? Or daughter Olga, overwhelmed with real estate?

Rashnikov’s activities cause moral damage to the elderly residents of the country, for whom the magnet has become part of their biography, a memory of romantic youth, a source of pride for their people and their Motherland.

Rashnikov’s activities cause multimillion-dollar material damage to the entire country, since huge amounts of money flow abroad every month. These are the very funds that the federal budget cannot reach. Perhaps this is precisely the money that is not enough to provide for orphanages, to equip the Russian army, to increase pensions and social benefits, to increase salaries for teachers and doctors.

There is no subjunctive mood in history, which is a shame. It would be possible to compile the history of the country that would have turned out if our justice had caught people like Rashnikov by the hand in time. It would be a great story with a full budget, social justice and the rule of law. And most importantly, with national pride, which is not bought or sold, and therefore belongs to everyone.

Information obtained from open sources.

Links

Rashnikov, Viktor Filippovich

Agriculture