Fatal Shooting at Wildberries HQ Linked to Corporate Dispute
A shooting at Wildberries' Moscow office resulted in one fatality and three injuries, stemming from a conflict between the founder and her estranged husband over a planned merger. The incident has drawn high-level attention.
A tragic incident unfolded at the Moscow headquarters of Wildberries, Russia's leading e-commerce platform, on September 18, 2024. The event, resulting in one fatality and three injuries, appears to be connected to an ongoing corporate dispute.
Wildberries, founded by Tatyana Bakalchuk in 2004, has grown from a small online clothing store to Russia's largest online retailer, operating in 19 countries with over 100,000 employees. The company, which processes more than 2 million orders daily, has been at the center of a contentious merger plan announced in June 2024.
The proposed merger between Wildberries and Russ, a smaller outdoor advertising firm, aimed to create a comprehensive digital trading platform. However, this plan faced opposition from Vladislav Bakalchuk, Tatyana's estranged husband and minority stakeholder.
The situation escalated when a group, allegedly led by Vladislav, arrived at the Wildberries office. Conflicting accounts emerged, with Tatyana claiming armed individuals attempted forced entry, while Vladislav stated they were unarmed and seeking a business discussion.
The incident resulted in the death of a Wildberries security guard, with two police officers among the wounded. Law enforcement detained nearly 30 individuals in connection with the event.
This corporate conflict has attracted attention from high-level Russian officials. Maxim Oreshkin, deputy head of the presidential administration, was reportedly appointed to oversee the merger's implementation. The Kremlin acknowledged President Vladimir Putin's support for the plan but stated he would not interfere with its progress.
"No meeting with Vladislav had been scheduled."
The shooting marks a significant escalation in the dispute between Tatyana Bakalchuk, recognized as Russia's richest woman by Forbes, and Vladislav. Their personal relationship had already deteriorated, with Tatyana filing for divorce in late July 2024.
Wildberries' rapid growth and expansion have been remarkable. The company's revenue exceeded 1.6 trillion rubles (approximately $17.2 billion) in 2022. With over 120 million products in its catalog and more than 50,000 pickup points across its operating countries, Wildberries has established itself as a major player in the global e-commerce market.
As investigations continue, this incident raises questions about corporate governance and security in Russia's burgeoning tech sector. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for the future of Wildberries and the broader Russian e-commerce landscape.
