By A shooting incident at the headquarters of Russian online retailer Wildberries in Moscow on Wednesday left at least two people dead and several others injured, according to company and law enforcement sources.
Wildberries reported that an armed group of men, led by Vladislav Bakalchuk, the ex-husband of company founder Tatiana Bakalchuk, attempted to forcibly enter the building. The confrontation escalated into violence, resulting in gunfire.
Law enforcement authorities are investigating the incident. According to the Interfax news agency, two police officers were injured and nearly 30 individuals were arrested. The state-run TASS news agency, citing an unnamed Wildberries source, reported that two security guards were killed.
Video footage published by the pro-Kremlin Telegram news channel Mash showed a scuffle outside the office, followed by gunshots and shouting.
Vladislav Bakalchuk claimed on Telegram that he and his team were attacked when they arrived at the Wildberries headquarters “for negotiations to stop the construction of a warehouse.” However, Tatiana Bakalchuk, Russia’s wealthiest woman, disputed this claim, stating that no such talks were arranged and that her ex-husband had attempted to seize the company’s office.
The incident occurs against a backdrop of ongoing tensions surrounding Wildberries. The company recently announced a merger with Russ Group to form a new digital trading platform named RWB, a move that has raised questions in business circles due to the significant size disparity between the two companies.
Independent business outlet The Bell suggested the RWB merger may be part of Russia’s wartime redistribution of assets favoring Kremlin-linked business figures.
The personal conflict between Tatiana and Vladislav Bakalchuk has intensified since their divorce in July. Vladislav had previously sought help from Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, claiming he was facing a hostile takeover of the company.
According to the independent investigative news outlet Agentstvo, three MMA fighters connected to a fighting club founded by Kadyrov were among the group of men seen in videos of the shooting.
This violent incident has shocked Russia’s business community and raised concerns about corporate conflicts escalating into physical confrontations.
