Igor Kesaev
Игорь Альбертович Кесаев
Born30 October 1966 (1966-10-30) (age 57)
Ordzhonikidze, North Ossetian ASSR, Soviet Russia, USSR
CitizenshipRussian, Cypriot[1]
EducationMoscow State Institute of International Relations
Spousemarried
Children3

Igor Albertovich Kesaev (Russian: Игорь Альбертович Кесаев; born 30 October 1966)[2] is a Russian billionaire retail businessman.[3] He is known as the owner and president of the Mercury Group (Russian: Меркурий), which owns Megapolis Group, the leading tobacco distributor in Russia. He is also an owner of weapon manufacturers and retail store chains.

Kesaev has purported links with the Russian government and security forces such as the FSB and GRU.

Net worth

On the Forbes 2022 list of the world's billionaires, he was ranked #1196 with a net worth of US$2.6 billion.[3]

Mercury City Tower in Moscow, owned by the Mercury Group.

Personal life

Kesaev was born in the North Ossetian city of Ordzhonikidze (now known as Vladikavkaz / Dzaudzhikau).[2] Kesaev received a bachelor's degree from the Moscow Institute of International Relations.[3] He lives in Moscow with his wife and three children.[3]

Sanctions

Kesaev was sanctioned by Canada under the Special Economic Measures Act (S.C. 1992, c. 17) in relation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine for Grave Breach of International Peace and Security.[4] The European Union and the United Kingdom also sanctioned him in 2022 in relation to the Russo-Ukrainian War. The EU cited his close links and economic ties to state security and military personnel through his various business holdings.[5][6][7]

The United States sanctioned Kesaev in May 2023.[8][9]

References

  1. ^ "Miljardööri-oligarkki Igor Kesaev osti Saimaalta saaritontin – Näin Kyproksen "kultainen EU-passi" auttoi ohi Suomen valvonnan" (in Finnish). Seura. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Billionaires: Igor Albertovich KESAEV". Wealth-X. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d "The World's Billionaires (2016 ranking): #722 Igor Kesaev". Forbes. 1 March 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  4. ^ "Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (SOR/2014-58)". Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  5. ^ "EU Council Regulation № 269/2014: concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine". EUR-Lex (EU law gazette). Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  6. ^ EU Council Regulation № 269/2014: concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, 7 June 2023, retrieved 6 July 2023
  7. ^ "CONSOLIDATED LIST OF FINANCIAL SANCTIONS TARGETS IN THE UK" (PDF). Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  8. ^ "United States Imposes Additional Sanctions and Export Controls on Russia in Coordination with International Partners". 19 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Russian Tobacco Mogul Sanctioned". Tobacco Reporter. 20 May 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.