RBK Tyumen Under New Ownership After State Seizes Assets
RBK Tyumen, a leading media outlet in the Urals Federal District, has seen significant changes following the seizure of assets from billionaires Alexey Bobrov and Artem Bikov. The state has taken over stakes in their companies, including media assets, making advertising the primary revenue source for RBK Tyumen with staff salaries tied to secured contracts.
In October, the Prosecutor General’s Office accused Bobrov and Bikov of monopolistic practices in the Urals, leading to the seizure of their assets. The state subsequently took over stakes in 41 companies previously owned by the duo, including media outlets. Meanwhile, RIA Western Siberia has terminated the RBK Tyumen franchise agreement, effective November.
The franchise will be registered under a new legal entity and will honor all prior advertising commitments. Bogdan Kulchitsky, owner of RBK Yekaterinburg, will take over the RBK Tyumen franchise. The editorial policy of RBK Tyumen will remain unchanged, as it is set by RBK’s central holding office. The current editorial team, led by Editor-in-Chief Dina Trushnikova, will be retained. Additionally, the media outlet URA.RU, previously controlled by Bobrov and Bikov, is also being sold, though the buyer remains undisclosed.
The changes at RBK Tyumen reflect the broader shift in the media landscape of the Urals Federal District following the state's intervention in the assets of Bobrov and Bikov. Despite the changes in ownership, the editorial policy and team of RBK Tyumen will remain the same, ensuring continuity in the outlet's coverage.
