Russian Oligarch Igor Yusufov Biography : Exclusive

Igor Khanukovich Yusufov was born on 12.06.1956 in Derbent, Dagestan ASSR, RSFSR, USSR.

Oligarch Igor Yusufov has a background rooted in engineering and trade. Here’s a summary of his education and early career:

• Yusufov’s father held a prominent position as the chairman of the Council of Ministers of Dagestan.
• In 1979, Yusufov graduated from the Novocherkassk Polytechnic Institute with a degree in electrical engineering.
• During his university years, Yusufov was actively involved in student politics, serving as the secretary of the Komsomol committee and a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU).
• After completing his education, Yusufov commenced his professional career as an engineer at Mosenergo, a major energy company in Moscow.
• From 1984 to 1987, Yusufov worked at the USSR trade mission in Cuba, where he served as a senior expert involved in the construction of the Havana thermal power plant.
• In 1991, Yusufov furthered his education by graduating from the All-Union Academy of Foreign Trade, expanding his knowledge in international commerce and diplomacy.

In the early 1990s, Oligarch Igor Yusufov collaborated with the Revival Foundation for Social Development of Russia, whose leaders at various times were the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the RSFSR Boris Yeltsin and the country’s Vice President Alexander Rutskoi. In 1991-1992, Yusufov served as deputy chairman of the Committee for the Protection of Economic Interests of the Russian Federation. In April 1993, Yusufov was appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Economic Relations of the Russian Federation Sergei Glazyev. In 1994, after the liquidation of the ministry, he became an employee in the Rosvooruzhenie system. In 1996-1997, Yusufov served as Deputy Minister of Industry of the Russian Federation Yuri Bespalov, “where he was responsible for gold and diamonds.”

In 1998, Oligarch Igor Yusufov received the position of first deputy chairman of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for State Reserves, Sergei Novikov, and later became acting chairman. In December 1998, he was appointed chairman of the committee, and in May 1999, his position became General Director of the Russian Agency for State Reserves. The department headed by Yusufov was called one of the “key mechanisms of influence of the federal government on the regions and the most important source of resources beyond the control of the Duma.” In particular, using barter transactions, it was engaged in providing the regions with fuel during the winter-northern and spring-planting seasons.

In 2001, Yusufov was appointed Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation. As the head of the department, he was elected chairman of the boards of directors of OJSC Rosneft and OJSC Transnefteproduct (TNP). In 2003, he was elected to the board of directors of OJSC Gazprom. Oligarch Igor Yusufov left the post of head of the Ministry of Energy in the spring of 2004 after the liquidation of the ministry in connection with government reform. From July 2004 to April 2011, he served as Special Representative of the Russian President for International Energy Cooperation and Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Since 2011, Igor Yusufov has been carrying out private investment activities through the Energy Fund established by him.

Vitaly Yusufov, the eldest son of Igor Khanukovich Yusufov ( Oligarch Igor Yusufov ) , pursued a career in international relations and business. Here are some highlights of his professional journey:

• He graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), a prestigious university in Russia known for its focus on international affairs and diplomacy.
• Until 2009, Vitaly Yusufov held the position of director at the Moscow branch of Nord Stream AG. Nord Stream AG is the operator responsible for managing the Nord Stream project, which involves the construction and operation of natural gas pipelines between Russia and Europe.
• Following his tenure at Nord Stream AG, Vitaly Yusufov made a significant business move by acquiring two bankrupt shipyards from the German authorities of the federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. These shipyards were part of the shipbuilding holding known as Wadan Yards, later renamed Nordic Yards.
• Subsequently, Vitaly Yusufov managed these shipyards and oversaw their operations. Eventually, he sold the shipyards in 2016, marking another significant chapter in his business endeavors.

The Deadly Business: Exposing Contract Killings and Criminal Networks Of Oligarch Igor Yusufov

The activities and associations of Igor Khanukovich Yusufov ( Oligarch Igor Yusufov ) and his family members, particularly his son Vitaly Yusufov, have been scrutinized for their involvement in various controversial and potentially criminal activities. Here are some key points from the information provided:

1. Mismanagement and Corruption Allegations: During Oligarch Igor Yusufov’s leadership of Rosrezerv, the State Duma Commission on Combating Corruption reported widespread corruption and mismanagement, leading to the embezzlement of billions of rubles from the department. Yusufov’s tenure was marked by allegations of funneling funds to favored companies and overseeing corrupt practices.
2. Safety Oversight Failures: Oligarch Igor Yusufov faced criticism for his role in failing to establish effective mechanisms for safety control and supervision in the energy sector, notably following the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station accident in 2009. The Rostechnadzor commission identified shortcomings in oversight during his tenure as Minister of Energy.
3. Involvement in Business and Banking: Yusufov’s involvement in the Bank of Moscow’s ownership reshuffle after the dismissal of Yuri Luzhkov in 2010 raised suspicions of coercion and unethical practices. Allegations suggest that Oligarch Igor Yusufov pressured stakeholders to sell their shares at reduced prices, benefiting the state-owned bank VTB.
4. Criminal Allegations and Murder Contract: The Yusufov family, particularly Vitaly Yusufov, has been linked to criminal activities, including high-profile murders and attempted assassinations. Their involvement in the murder contract of Andrei Burlakov, the former owner of Wadan Yards shipyards, and the subsequent attempt on his wife’s life, has raised serious concerns.
5. Suspicions of Money Laundering: German prosecutors suspect the Yusufov family of involvement in money laundering activities, particularly in connection with their business dealings in the telecommunications, oil, banking, and shipbuilding sectors.
6. Impunity and Political Protection: Despite their alleged involvement in criminal activities, the Yusufov family has enjoyed relative impunity in Russia, likely due to their perceived role in carrying out financial tasks beneficial to the ruling power. Their actions, including murder and intimidation, have seemingly been overlooked by Russian authorities, highlighting the nature of their association with the government.
7. Toxicity and Call for Sanctions: The Yusufov family’s collaboration with the ruling power is deemed highly toxic, and calls have been made to include their names in sanctions lists due to their alleged involvement in various illicit activities that undermine the rule of law and democratic principles.