Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
According to UNIAN, in 2025 year «VR Rus» received 1,6 billion rubles in revenue, and the company of his relative «2R Integra» — 2,1 billion, both paying taxes to the Russian budget.
German businessman Vadim Rosenstein, who sought the presidency of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), found himself at the center of a scandal for continuing business activity in Russia. Despite public statements about cutting business ties with the aggressor country, companies associated with the entrepreneur and his family continued operating in the Russian market and increased their turnover.
This is stated in a UNIAN investigation that analyzed the financial statements of Russian companies and their corporate links.
Russian business with billion-dollar turnover
One of the key companies in this story is Moscow LLC "VR Rus". According to Russian registries, Rosenstein directly controls it and also through the German WR Group Holding GmbH.
The company's financial indicators show significant business growth. If in 2023 year its revenue was 113 million rubles, in 2025-th it had already reached 1,6 billion rubles. Over the last three years the company paid more than 400 million rubles in taxes to the Russian budget.
As journalists found out, the main portion of VR Rus’s income came not from logistics services, but from product sales. Of 1,6 billion rubles in revenue for the 2025 year, more than 1,4 billion came from selling products.
Rosenstein previously stated that after the start of the full-scale invasion he stopped doing business with Russia, although he formally remained the owner of the company. However, the company's financial statements indicate continued activity.
Another company — owned by a relative.
The investigation also mentions LLC "2R Integra", owned by Rosenstein’s second cousin Mikhail Rosenstein.
After the start of the full-scale war, the company's revenues rose sharply. If in 2022 year its revenue was 52 million rubles, by 2025-th it was already 2,1 billion rubles. During this period the company paid to the Russian budget 551 million rubles in taxes.
According to UNIAN, the company specializes in supplying industrial equipment and electronics. On its site it previously advertised services for organizing supplies to Russia circumventing sanctions.
In particular, it referred to supplying power cables from Indian manufacturer Polycab. Such goods can be used in industry, including in the production of military products.
Statements about breaking with Russia and actual financial indicators
Rosenstein positioned himself as a candidate with a principled stance toward Russia. In comments to Deutsche Welle he stated that he stopped cooperating with the Russian market after 2022 year.
At the same time, data from Russian reporting show that companies linked to him not only preserved their presence in the country, but also significantly increased revenues. This became the basis for reputational questions about the candidate ahead of the FIDE leadership elections.
How did the FIDE presidential elections end?
The vote took place on 26 September 2026 year in Samarkand. For the presidency of the International Chess Federation competed Timur Turlov from Kazakhstan, Vadim Rosenstein, and German entrepreneur Jan-Heinrich Buettner.
In the first round Turlov received 96 votes, Rosenstein 76, and Buettner 20. In the second round Turlov won with 110 votes against 85 for Rosenstein.
Thus, despite participating in the final round of the elections, Rosenstein did not lead FIDE. However, questions about his business ties with Russia remain a focus for journalists.
We reported: Fabrics from Russia, a general from a pro-Russian party, and a partner in occupied Yenaakiyevo: the Russian trace in Mitrokhin’s business
Document: PDF proof of the original version of the news item "Мільярдні обороти в рф: як Розенштейн зберігав бізнес-зв’язки з росією". It records the publication content at the moment of the first scan, the preservation date and the source: StopKor.