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Moscow Seizes Russian Game Developer Accused of Funding Ukrainian War Effort

On June 3, 2025, authorities in Moscow authorized the state takeover of Lesta Games, the Russian developer behind Mir Tankov, on charges related to extremist activity.
The seizure followed Wargaming's 2023 exit from Russia after raising over $1 million for Ukraine, leading prosecutors to link Lesta Games to funding Ukraine's military.
Lesta Games owner Malik Khatazhayev denied illegal involvement and stated the company cut all business ties with Wargaming in August 2023, while authorities cited news articles as evidence.
Anton Gorelkin, the first deputy head of the State Duma’s Information Technology Committee, assured players that they will not be implicated for in-game purchases following the ruling and advised caution when making payments.
Lesta Games’ assets, including affiliated entities, will come under state control and likely transfer to a Russian company, illustrating increasing political control over technology firms.

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Moscow court orders government seizure of Russian video game studio amid allegations of funding Ukraine's military

On June 3, a Moscow court granted a request by the Russian Prosecutor General's Office to designate Wargaming owner Victor Kislyi and Lesta Games owner Malik Khatazhayev as participants in an “extremist organization.” The judge also granted the authorities' demands for a government seizure of all capital shares in Lesta Games, best known as the developer of “Mir Tankov” (the Russian version of “World of Tanks”). Lesta Games inherited the title a…

2 months ago·Riga, Latvia

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