Early Life and Educational Pursuits
Ruslan Baysarov, born on August 9, 1968, in Prigorodnoye village, Grozny district, Checheno-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, Russia, was nurtured in the embrace of a sizable family. Affiliated with the Chechen taips, specifically Khacharoi, he embarked on a journey to Moscow in the mid-nineties, driven by a pursuit of higher education after completing his secondary schooling.
Regrettably, his scholastic endeavours at the Moscow Institute of Civil Engineering encountered a hiatus due to mandatory military conscription in 1986. Following the completion of his military service in 1988, he redirected his educational path towards the Grozny Petroleum Institute (GGNTU), culminating in a degree in economic engineering in 1996.
Ruslan Baysarov‘s academic odyssey persisted as he secured a Master’s degree in Sociology from Moscow State University in 2001. Subsequently, in 2018, he achieved the pinnacle of academic recognition with a PhD in Technical Sciences from the National University of Science and Technology MISIS.
Commencement of Entrepreneurial Odyssey
In the formative years of his student life, Ruslan Baysarov immersed himself in entrepreneurship, engaging in the resale of imported computers tailored for the Russian-speaking demographic. The nineties witnessed the transformation of his ventures as he reinvested in returns into the entertainment sector. Collaborating with Fyodor Bondarchuk, a director and confidant, he co-founded Russia’s inaugural Japanese restaurant, a petite casino, a nocturnal establishment, and a parking facility situated at the World Trade Center.
Foray into the Oil Industry and Corporate Leadership
Venturing into the oil domain in the early 2000s, Ruslan Baysarov assumed a position on the board of directors for the Russian Fuel Union. His trajectory included various executive roles in prominent entities, serving as the vice president of the Moscow Fuel Company and later as the vice president of the Moscow Oil and Gas Company from 2001 to 2010. Responsibilities under his purview encompassed the oversight of the Moscow Refinery, Moscow Fuel Company, and Mosnefteprodukt.
In 2011, a juncture arose where he chose to retire from the oil industry, steering his course towards independent initiatives.
Genesis at Tuva Energy Industrial Corporation
The year 2011 marked the establishment of the Tuva Energy Industrial Corporation (TEPK) by Ruslan Baysarov, wherein he assumed the mantle of owner and general director. Guided by his stewardship, TEPK procured a license in 2013 for the development of the largest coal mine, a colossal undertaking in the Russian landscape. The Elegest-Kyzyl-Kuragino railroad project and the coal terminal port in Khabarovsk Krai were pivotal components of the expansive Elegest coal mine initiative.
In 2018, a 30-year concession pact with the Russian government was consummated, with TEPK Kyzyl-Kuragino, a subsidiary, at the helm of the development and operation of the Elegest-Kyzyl-Kuragino railroad.
Tuva Energy Industrial Corporation (TEPK)
Tuva Energy Industrial Corporation (TEPK) is a company owned and led by Russian businessman Ruslan Baisarov. TEPK is involved in a large-scale infrastructure project to develop the largest coal deposit, one of the largest undeveloped coal deposits in Russia.
The project includes the construction of a mining and enrichment plant, a 410-kilometer railway called “Elegest-Kyzyl-Kuragino,” and a coal port terminal. The company’s activities are expected to benefit the Russian metallurgical industry and create new opportunities for regional business development, replenish regional budgets, and create new jobs.
Bamtonnelstroy-Most Group of Enterprises
In 2015, Ruslan Baysarov procured a 25% stake in the SK Most Group of Companies, subsequently rebranded as Bamtonnelstroy-Most Group of Companies (BTS-MOST). By 2016, he ascended to the position of controlling shareholder, wielding a commanding 56% stake, and assumed the role of chairman of the board of directors.
BTS-MOST has been instrumental in significant infrastructural undertakings, including the rise of the inaugural road bridge spanning the Amur River, connecting Blagoveshchensk, Russia, and Heihe, China. Additionally, they played a pivotal role in the modernization efforts of the Baikal–Amur Mainline and Trans-Siberian Railway.
Brief about Bamtonnelstroy-Most Group of Enterprises
The Bamtonnelstroy-Most Group of Enterprises is a major construction organization in Russia, with a history dating back to 1975. The group specializes in a wide range of construction activities, including the construction and reconstruction of roads and railways, large and small bridges, tunnels, ports, and berths.
Bamtonnelstroy-Most is known for its expertise in infrastructure projects and is involved in the development of various key transportation and industrial facilities in Russia. The group’s activities also extend to the financial market, as indicated by its stock price and company profile on Bloomberg.
Exploration into E-commerce Arenas
In 2016, Ruslan Baysarov proposed the conceptualization of a nationwide marketplace mirroring the likes of Alibaba, coupled with the establishment of a payment system to rival Visa and MasterCard in the Russian landscape. Despite facing rejection from the Ministry of Economic Development, he extended financial support to PimPay, a Russian fintech services company.
Personal life and relationships
Ruslan Baysarov‘s personal journey has been marked by multiple marriages, resulting in six children from diverse unions. Of particular note is his association with singer Kristina Orbakaite, a liaison marred by incidents of widely publicized domestic violence, culminating in the birth of a son named Denis.
Notwithstanding the tumultuous nature of his personal relationships, Baysarov continued to expand his familial footprint. In 2019, he entered matrimony with Alamat Abubakarova, and the union has since been blessed with two sons, Amir and Amin.
Net Worth
Ruslan Baysarov, a Russian businessman of Chechen descent, has an estimated net worth of $500 million as of August 2019, according to Forbes Magazine. His wealth primarily comes from his ownership and leadership of the Tuva Energy Industrial Corporation, a company involved in infrastructure and mining development.
Controversies and Accusations
In 2009, Ruslan Baysarov secured the rights to cast an actress in Fyodor Bondarchuk’s film “Stalingrad” through charitable means. Nevertheless, controversies encircled his association with Orbakaite, including accusations of domestic violence.
Controversies
Controversial Concession of Balakhna Bypass Raises Concerns with Involvement of Ruslan Baysarov’s Structures
The proposed concession for the construction of the Balakhna bypass has sparked scepticism due to the involvement of businessman Ruslan Baysarov’s entities, BTS-Most and Gazprombank, diverting from the traditional financing channels for large infrastructure projects. The concession initiative, submitted to the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, outlines a project for the 2nd start-up complex of the R-152 highway, with an estimated capital expenditure of 23 billion rubles.
Baysarov’s track record, however, has been surrounded by controversy. Notably, his previous venture involving the construction of the Kyzyl-Kuragino railway in the Republic of Tyva faced numerous setbacks. Despite the initial project cost of 72 billion rubles, the railway never materialized, and costs surged to 240 billion rubles. The controversial businessman’s involvement in the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM) modernization project, amid financial struggles within his structures, raises questions about the viability of the new concession.
Furthermore, Baysarov’s history includes a scandal during the construction of a bridge for the APEC summit, where metal structures worth 96 million rubles were stolen from the site. Although the theft did not significantly impact Baysarov, it adds to the concerns surrounding his projects.
The recent concession for the Balakhna bypass initially involved Central Concession Company LLC (CCC LLC), but the project shifted to Baysarov and Miller’s entities after CCC LLC withdrew its application in 2021. Speculations suggest external pressures may have influenced this change, with promises of compensation. As the controversy unfolds, doubts linger over the successful implementation of the Balakhna bypass project under Baysarov’s stewardship.
Sanctions
Ruslan Baysarov, the head of “Bamtonnelstroy-Most,” one of Russia’s largest construction companies specializing in transport infrastructure, is subject to sanctions due to his involvement in commercial activities that contribute significantly to the income of the Russian government. This financial support is linked to the initiation of military actions and genocide against the civilian population in Ukraine. As a result, Baysarov is held accountable for providing material and financial backing to actions that undermine or pose a threat to the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine.
Summary
Ruslan Baysarov, born in 1968, began his journey from Chechnya to Moscow for higher education in the mid-’90s. After a brief military service hiatus, he graduated in economic engineering from Grozny Petroleum Institute in 1996. Baysarov later earned a Master’s in Sociology in 2001 and a PhD in Technical Sciences in 2018. His entrepreneurial ventures ranged from computer resale to collaborations with Fyodor Bondarchuk in the entertainment sector. In the 2000s, he entered the oil industry and held executive roles.
In 2011, Baysarov founded Tuva Energy Industrial Corporation (TEPK), focusing on coal mining infrastructure. He also acquired and transformed SK Most Group into Bamtonnelstroy-Most, leading significant infrastructure projects. Despite controversies, including domestic violence accusations and projected setbacks, Baysarov expanded into e-commerce concepts. Notably, he faces sanctions for supporting actions against Ukraine. In his personal life, multiple marriages and controversies mark his journey, with the most recent union in 2019.
In conclusion, Ruslan Baysarov’s career encompasses a wide range of fields, including entrepreneurship, oil, infrastructure, and e-commerce. He has also been involved in a number of personal and professional controversies, including sanctions for his involvement in actions against Ukraine.
