Rosenstein maintained billion-scale business ties with Russia despite claims of severance

Financial reports contradict candidate's public statements

German businessman Vadim Rosenstein, who participated in the election for the head of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), has found himself at the centre of a scandal. Despite his earlier statements about ceasing business cooperation with the aggressor state after the start of the full-scale invasion, financial data tells a different story. Companies linked to the entrepreneur and his family have not only maintained their presence in the Russian market but also demonstrate rapid growth in turnover.

These facts came to light thanks to a UNIAN investigation, which analysed the financial reports of Russian enterprises and their corporate chains.

Growth in revenue of Moscow-based structure "VR Rus"

A key element in this story is the Moscow-based VR Rus LLC. According to Russian registry data, Vadim Rosenstein controls this company both directly and through the German structure WR Group Holding GmbH.

Financial indicators record a significant increase in business. In 2023, the enterprise's revenue stood at 113 million rubles, but by 2025 this figure reached 1.6 billion rubles. Over the last three years, the company has paid over 400 million rubles in taxes to the Russian budget.

A detailed analysis of the revenue structure revealed that the main part of "VR Rus"'s income was derived not from logistics services, but from the sale of goods. Thus, out of the total revenue of 1.6 billion rubles in 2025, over 1.4 billion rubles came specifically from product sales.

Previously, Rosenstein publicly stated that he had stopped doing business in Russia after 2022, formally retaining his status as an owner. However, the available financial reports confirm the actual continuation of commercial activity.

Relative's business: equipment supply bypassing sanctions

The materials also feature another structure — 2R Integra LLC, owned by the businessman's cousin, Mikhail Rosenstein. This company also experienced a sharp jump in income after the start of the full-scale war.

If in 2022 the revenue of "2R Integra" was 52 million rubles, by the end of 2025 it had grown to 2.1 billion rubles. During this period, the enterprise paid 551 million rubles in taxes to the Russian Federation budget.

According to UNIAN, the company specialises in supplying industrial equipment and electronics. Its official website previously advertised services for organising supplies to Russia in bypass of the existing anti-Russian sanctions.

In particular, it mentioned the supply of power cables from the Indian manufacturer Polycab. Such products have the potential for use in industry, including in the production of military goods.

Reputational risks ahead of FIDE president election

Vadim Rosenstein positioned himself as a candidate with a principled stance towards Russia. In comments to Deutsche Welle, he claimed that he had stopped cooperating with the Russian market after 2022. Meanwhile, data from Russian reporting shows that companies linked to him have not only maintained their presence in the country but also significantly increased their income. It is precisely this dissonance between his public image and financial reality that has become the basis for reputational questions to the candidate on the eve of the vote.

Voting results in Samarkand

The FIDE president election took place on 26 September 2026 in Samarkand. Three candidates competed for the post of head of the International Chess Federation: Timur Turlov from Kazakhstan, Vadim Rosenstein, and German entrepreneur Jan-Henrik Büttner.

In the first round of voting, Timur Turlov received 96 votes, Vadim Rosenstein — 76, and Jan-Henrik Büttner — 20. In the second round, Timur Turlov won, receiving 110 votes against Rosenstein's 85.

Thus, despite advancing to the final round, Rosenstein did not head FIDE. However, the issue of his business ties with Russia remains a subject of journalistic attention.