Alexei Kudrin, old ally of Your Excellency, Russian President Vladimir Putin, announced Monday will be joining Yandex, where the Kremlin seeks to tighten its grip on Russia summit technology giant.
The announcement From former Finance minister It comes months later of instability in the internet company, with absconding employees military offensive in Ukraine and its founder hit Western sanctions.
The largest Internet company in Russia and the most popular search engine is divided into russian and international companies because of Western sanctions.
Analysts say that move I will cement government control over What was seen before one of Russia summit success Stories.
Last week Kudrin announced was stepping down as such head of Audit room in Russia to focus on private initiatives with “Significant impact on people. “
I accepted an offer from Yandex to become a company development Counselor, ”said Kudrin on Monday. he is added that in for him role he will work to me “ensure the long-term and sustainable development of company on All markets, incl international Of which “.
Kudrin is expected to oversee operations of restructured company, while its founder, Arkady Volozh, who I was hit by European Union sanctions in June, you will develop several Yandex outside Russia.
In recent years, the Russian authorities have steadily stepped up up control over Internet – once considered that last stronghold of freedom of expression.
All majors media organizations already Either state-owned or close to the Kremlin line.
Staff exodus
In August, Yandex sold a device news Feed Yandex News to the state’s competitor VK, the owner of largest russia social network.
The state decided speed up The creation of Purely Russian services are increasingly limiting access of “The Russians to the foreign services,” economist Sergei Khstanov told AFP (AFP), referring to the authorities’ increasing control. over the internet in Russia.
he said that with Kudrin at the helm of Yandex authorities can create an Internet “firewall” to shield The government of criticism.
In March, Russia banned Facebook and Instagram for “extremist activity” as part of efforts to link down on social media during the Moscow offensive on Ukraine.
Moscow military judicial intervention in Ukraine triggered exodus of Russians from the country, including many from Yandex and the IT sector.
Brussels describes Yandex as “a country promoter media and narration in her research results. “
The European Union said Fouloz, 58, was “materially supporting or financiallyThe Russians government in its attack on Ukraine.
When were the penalties announced Voloz stepped up immediately down As CEO and resigned from board of directors for avoid a company also Universe hit with penalties.
Bill, respected Russian-language media outlet, I reported earlier that Voloz switched to Kudrin for help in Putin insurance support for restructuring plan.
Very close to Putin
Kudrin served as financier minister Between 2000 and 2011 he was dismissed by then President Dmitry Medvedev for disobedience in 2011 and later appointed Chairman of the Board of Court of Accounts.
62-year-old was seen as one of The government’s most prominent liberals in previous years of Putin rule He supported the opposition protests against Widespread claims of Election fraud in 2011-2012.
For Kudrin, Yandex offers an opportunity to distance same from government After Putin sent troops into Ukraine, said Tatyana Stanovaya, the founder of Political analysis company R. Politik.
“He has nowhere to go,” Stanovaya told AFP. announcement I was made.
“He is very close to Putin. His departure will be seen as an act,” he added of betrayal.”
The newspaper Bell, citing sources, reported that Kudrin would have to “guaranteeTo the Kremlin that Yandex and co technologies remain Based in Russia.
But the sources said at the same time that he would have to sure That the company does not become another-run giant like technologies Rostec conglomerate.
Last month, Yandex plans to reform “group ownership and governance”. in light of The current geopolitical environment. “
The company said this may include developing some of Its services — including self-driving technologies, cloud computing and data tagging — are “independent of Russia.”
