Konstantin Makhov and Ilya Traber Taken into Custody
Two high-profile figures tied to Russia’s elite have been arrested in Moscow two weeks apart. Konstantin Makhov, a top manager in Arkady Rotenberg’s business empire, and Ilya Traber, a businessman with links to Vladimir Putin, are the subjects of separate criminal cases. Makhov oversaw construction of a gas chemical plant in Ust-Luga, a project backed by 2.7 trillion rubles in investments. Traber is suspected of orchestrating the contract killing of Alexander Petrov in 2020.
The arrest of Konstantin Makhov in Moscow involved a large contingent of special forces. Often described as the right-hand man of Russian oligarch Arkady Rotenberg, Makhov holds several key positions, including:
- Chairman of the Board of Directors at RusKhimAlliance LLC,
- General Director of the Management Company for the Ust-Luga Special Economic Zone,
- General Director of the National Gas Group,
- General Director of the Baltic Chemical Complex.
Makhov was also responsible for building a polymer production plant in Ust-Luga, with an estimated investment of 2.7 trillion rubles. Notably, he served as deputy head of Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsiya) for nearly a decade.
Ilya Traber was detained after searches at his home and offices, then transported to Moscow by officers from the FSB’s central headquarters. The Basmanny District Court in Moscow ordered the 75-year-old businessman held for two months. He is suspected of ordering the murder of Alexander Petrov, who was shot dead by a sniper near his cottage in Leningrad Oblast in October 2020. Investigators believe the killing was linked to business disputes. Spanish prosecutors have previously identified Traber as a leader of the Tambov organized crime group.
Impact on the Business Landscape
These arrests mark the second time in two weeks that a senior Russian executive of this caliber has been detained. According to a source,
“At the moment, he is the closest person to him.”The situation surrounding these individuals has drawn significant public attention and discussion, given their connections in both business and politics.
The detentions of Konstantin Makhov and Ilya Traber signal a tightening of law enforcement oversight in Russia, particularly toward those with close ties to the elite and oligarchs. These events may point to potential internal conflicts within the business community, as well as the authorities’ desire to demonstrate resolve in combating corruption and organized crime. Arrests of such high-profile figures could affect the country’s investment climate and raise concerns among investors.
The recent arrests of Makhov and Traber highlight a growing trend of high-profile detentions in Russia, raising questions about the extent of organized crime and corruption within the elite. This follows the detention of another significant figure, a suspected mafia leader in St. Petersburg, indicating an intensified crackdown on criminal networks that have long operated with impunity.