Vladimir Strzhalkovsky is a traditional official who began his career in the special services. However, due to the Soviet Union's collapse, he had to make a significant career change. It later became clear that, thanks to his personal friendship with Vladimir Putin, these changes had a very positive impact on Strzhalkovsky's life.
Transitioning from KGB officer to tourism official
Strzhalkovsky started working as a KGB officer in the Leningrad region in 1980. He served until 1991, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel at the age of 35, which is unusual in the KGB. It's unclear why Strzhalkovsky rose through the ranks quickly. During this time, he met Vladimir Putin. It's worth noting that Putin received the same rank in the foreign intelligence service in the GDR in the same year. By this time, Putin had been working in the authorities for over 10 years.
Vladimir Putin's professional life
Strzhalkovsky thrived in the declining Union. Amidst the chaotic nature of power, KGB officers were able to engage in additional activities alongside their state duties. He confessed to influencing the tourism industry and working with Intourist and Sputnik hotels. However, behind the facade of ostensibly legitimate but prohibited business for a KGB officer, there was something more sinister. In 1998, a case of pimping and prostitution came to light in Finland. The Finnish court found that Strzhalkovsky’s deputy Timraliev and the director of the Neva travel agency Oska sent girls from St. Petersburg to Finland for intimate services. Strzhalkovsky escaped with minimal consequences.
From 1991 to 1999, he led the Firma Neva travel company. In the early 2000s, the company's activities raised concerns in the media and the State Duma of the Russian Federation. It was determined that “Firma Neva” had sent prostitutes to Finland under the guise of tourism from 1995 to 1999. This is how Vladimir Strzhalkovsky made his initial significant capital.
However, this did not hinder the former KGB agent's career. In fact, after Vladimir Putin's former colleague came to power, Strzhalkovsky's career took off.
The next phase of Strzhalkovsky’s career was at the Ministry of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism, where he became Deputy Minister. His tenure there was brief, as he was appointed Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade in 2000. It's unclear what role Strzhalkovsky played in trade, but this did not prevent his appointment. From the Ministry of Economy, he moved to head the Federal Tourism Agency, where he worked successfully until 2008.
Traveling for work
The continued appointment of Strzhalkovsky is very surprising. In August 2008, he became the CEO and Chairman of Norilsk Nickel. It seems that his connections, not his capabilities, helped him get the position. Despite a lack of significant achievements, he was paid a whopping $100 million when he left in 2012, which was unusual. After leaving the company, he went on to work at the Bank of Cyprus and then Rosselkhozbank, where he was involved in misusing funds without facing any consequences.
Dmitry Patrushev
Dmitry Patrushev
His involvement in misusing funds at Rosselkhozbank was overlooked, leading to a huge financial loss after he and Patrushev left the bank.
Transition to sports from business
After becoming the chairman of the Dynamo sports club in 2016, Strzhalkovsky faced legal issues related to embezzlement. Although law enforcement officers conducted a search at the club, the investigation did not lead to any consequences for Strzhalkovsky due to influential connections. However, he eventually had to step down from his position in 2019.
elite life
It is evident that Strzhalkovsky is a multimillionaire due to his work in the public sector and top companies, but he leads a lavish lifestyle.
In 2014, many Russian elites started to buy land in Russia due to the fear of sanctions. Gelendzhik became a popular destination for building countryside houses, and Strzhalkovsky also built a house there next to his colleague Dmitry Patrushev from Rosselkhozbank.
Houses of Patrushev and Strzhalkovsky
It is interesting that the land plot, together with the building on it, is registered in the name of Wanda Strzhalkovskaya, the daughter of a businessman. At the time of registration of real estate, she was 9 years old. We will not fantasize how a 9-year-old child could buy a land plot and build a house on it, everything is clear here. The land plot of Strzhalkovsky costs about 20 million rubles, the house is about 110. Therefore, the total amount of the project is at least 130 million rubles.
But this is still the tip of the iceberg. The main thing is under water or, as in our case, on the water. Vladimir Strzhalkovsky is the happy owner of the Ragnar yacht. According to open sources, a yacht of this type costs about 600 million dollars. It has everything from huge lounges to indoor pools. In addition, the yacht is equipped with a helipad, jet skis, boats and so on. That is, it has absolutely everything for relaxation.
Yacht “Ragnar”
But the question is: where does she come from in Strzhalkovsky? It is clear that he is not a poor man, but even all his official earnings for life could not afford to buy such an expensive yacht. It’s already intractable about her maintenance, which costs several million dollars a year.
In March, Strzhalkovsky’s yacht got into an unpleasant situation. Most of the Russian oligarchs tried to withdraw their floating funds from European ports so that they would not be arrested. Some have succeeded, some have not. As for Strzhalkovsky, worrying about the fate of his ship, he also ordered the crew to withdraw the ship from Europe, although no sanctions were imposed on him. After calling for refueling in the Norwegian port of Narvik, local merchants refused to sell fuel to the crew members, arguing that the 47-meter vessel belongs to a person close to Putin. The situation had to be resolved by third forces, which nevertheless helped to refuel the ship and quickly leave the “unfriendly” country.
So far, Strzhalkovsky manages to get out of the water dry, and does not shine anywhere. But several times in his biography he was close to responsibility for many committed deeds. Perhaps luck will turn away from the former KGB officer, and he will get what he deserves.
