From June 1, Ukraine is expected to increase electricity tariffs to UAH 6.64 per kWh, and over the next 2-3 years the price may increase to UAH 9. This increase is due to the requirements of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which provide for the alignment 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 key companies operating electricity distribution systems, which, despite all the changes, continue to be under the influence of Russian businessmen. One such company is VS Energy, which owns shares in five Ukrainian regional energy companies.
The Russian footprint in the energy supply system
VS Energy, despite numerous changes in ownership, maintains ties with Russian oligarchs. Officially, the company had several co-owners, including Russian businessman and Vice-Speaker of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Sergey Babakov, as well as other Russians - Voevodin and Giner. At the same time, the only Ukrainian among the owners was Mikhail Spektor, who confirmed his ties to Babakov.
After the start of the Russian aggression in Ukraine in 2014, the company's ownership structure officially changed: Babakov and Voevodin left VS Energy, and Giner also left the company. However, the discrepancies between the company's and Spector's official statements on this issue 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 individuals connected to Russian business. In particular, Voyevodin's wife, Natalia Selivanova, has significant influence over the company's activities.
