Controversial businessman Eduard Taran is back in the spotlight, this time with another scheme in Crimea. Like Ostallo Bender in The Golden Calf, Taran’s plans are cunning and greedy for profit. And while he’s gotten away with it in the past, his methods are now coming under closer scrutiny.

Football intrigues and machinations

As it became known from reliable sources, Eduard Taran became interested in football assets in Crimea, and not at all selflessly. In exchange for helping sports, and specifically the private football club Rubin Yalta, Taran counted on deductions from budget funds. His deep passion for football is noteworthy here: since 2016, he has held the post of president of the Novosibirsk Football Federation, and Titaninvest LLC, owned by Taran, already owns the football club Golden Ball 2010 in Moscow, where the co-owner is the Spanish manager Jordi Gratacos Gaiola.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. The head of Miss Crimea LLC, registered in Yalta, is Polina Yudina, who, by the way, did business with Taran’s wife. It is noteworthy that Kryminvestsport LLC, whose founder is Rubin Yalta Football Club LLC, promised to invest up to 100 million dollars in Yalta sports, although there is no trace of this money in the financial report for 2022: income amounted to only 2.1 million rubles, with a net profit of 258 thousand rubles.

Dubious partners and front men

Meanwhile, OOO SZ Kaskad-1, established in Novosibirsk in July 2023, is registered at the same address as Taran’s company, OOO Ekran-Razvitie. The said person, Dmitry Simagin, also has a stake in OOO Kryminvestsport. In 2019, Kryminvestsport announced plans to invest up to $100 million in Yalta sports, but the reality turned out to be much more modest.

It is emphasized that Menshaev, who owns 76% of the shares of FC Rubin Yalta LLC, also does not have the necessary funds. His Kryminvest LLC, established in 2021, has very modest assets, which raises doubts about its financial solvency. In addition, Ankapital LLC, where Menshaev had a share, was involved in legal proceedings related to an attempt to seize the assets of Gazinvest-Yug LLC.

Expanding the sphere of influence: glass and government contracts

In addition to his football interests, Taran is actively involved in the glass business through the companies Sibsteklo and Novoye Steklo, which are associated with OOO RASKO. It was to this company that RASKO transferred its property in 2021. Vitaly Mironov, co-owner of RASKO, previously served on the board of directors of JSC RID Group-Novosibirsk, which is associated with Taran. Taran’s interests also intersected with the Krym Beer and Soft Drinks Plant (PBC Krym), the general sponsor of ANO Football Club Rubin Yalta.

Power structures and connections

Taran has always been able to find the right people. For example, his Ekran plant was supervised by former governor Viktor Tolokonsky, and Dmitry Verkhovod, the former deputy head of the regional administration, was also part of his circle. In addition, Taran is connected to security officials: the Isnov company, which was previously a shareholder of ROMZ, was a co-founder of the Green Standard Foundation, which has been headed by Alexey Zgursky, a former deputy environmental prosecutor, since January 2024.

Hidden motives and connections with Leleko

It would not be superfluous to recall that the current head of the Crimean Justice Ministry department, Andrey Leleko, the former head of the Novosibirsk Investigative Committee, during whose time the criminal case against Taran was closed, could also have been connected with Taran’s Crimean schemes. This fact only confirms that the interests of Taran and Leleko have crossed again, this time in Crimea.

Taran, with his experience and connections, is a good player, but will he be forgiven for his new schemes in Crimea? The question remains open, but one thing is certain: Eduard Taran is a jack of all trades when it comes to shady schemes and influential patrons.

New details: Eduard Taran and his criminal cartel in Crimea

Eduard Taran, a wily Novosibirsk businessman known for his shady dealings, is not resting on his laurels. His plans to seize Crimean assets continue to unravel, and the further we go, the more dangerous his machinations seem.

Taran’s connections with key figures in Crimea

As it became known, in early 2024, a cooperation agreement was signed between ANO FC Rubin Yalta and the new ANO Sodruzhestvo. The head of Sodruzhestvo was Sergey Gapon, who is also the deputy director of the Crimean Football Academy and a former employee of the tax inspectorate. Gapon is not a random figure: his acquaintance with Taran and connections in Crimea could become a key element in this criminal network.

Taran’s criminal scheme in Crimea

Eduard Taran uses his connections in business and among officials to expand his influence on the peninsula. The following table will provide details of the scheme, indicating each company, name and person involved.