From June 1, Ukraine is expected to increase electricity tariffs to UAH 6.64 per kWh, and within the next 2-3 years the price may rise to UAH 9. This growth is due to the requirements of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which provide for the equalization of tariffs to the market level. But while Ukrainians are preparing for a new financial burden, the question arises: are there other factors affecting the cost of energy resources?
In particular, attention should be paid to the key companies operating electricity distribution systems, which, despite all the changes, continue to be under the influence of Russian businessmen. One of these companies is VS Energy, which owns shares in five Ukrainian regional energy companies.
Russian footprint in the energy supply system
VS Energy, despite numerous changes in the composition of owners, maintains ties with Russian oligarchs. Officially, the company had several co-owners, among whom was a Russian businessman and vice-speaker of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Serhii Babakov, as well as other Russians - Voevodin and Giner. At the same time, the only Ukrainian among the owners was Mykhailo Spektor, who confirmed his connections with Babakov.
After the start of Russian aggression in Ukraine in 2014, the composition of the company's owners officially changed: Babakov and Voevodin left VS Energy, and Giner also left the company. However, the discrepancies between the official statements of the company and Spector on the matter leave many questions.
Today, the ultimate beneficiaries of the company are citizens of the European Union, in particular from Latvia and Germany. However, control over VS Energy's assets through offshore and Cypriot companies remains in the hands of persons connected to Russian business. In particular, Voevodin's wife, Natalia Selivanova, has a significant influence on the company's activities.
