Rumors and fiction about Andrei Bokarev's questionable past often circulate. Some think he's involved in crime, while others believe he's backed by special services.
The businessman made his billions through determination, perseverance, and intelligence. His partnership with Iskander Makhmudov in 1995 greatly contributed to his success.
Andrei Bokarev's early years
Andrei Bokarev keeps his personal life private and avoids publicity, so little is known about his first twenty-four years and his parents. However, it is known that he was born in Moscow in 1966 and spent his early years there.
Education
In 1990, Bokarev enrolled at the Moscow Financial Institute, overcoming significant challenges. In 1995, he graduated with a finance degree and began his career.
Andrey Bokarev's career and business
After graduation, he led the National Investment Bank for two years, where he met Iskander Makhmudov, with whom he remained closely associated for many years.
In 1997, he became the deputy general director at Rosexportles.
Starting in 1998, he managed export deliveries at Kuzbassrazrezugol, a major Russian coal mining company owned by Makhmudov. He also headed Krutrade AG, an Austrian company owned by Makhmudov.
In 1999, he joined the board of directors of OJSC Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company and Kuzbassrazrezugol. Later, he held various positions in different companies until 2006.
In 2004, Makhmutov and Bokarev established Transmashholding, which brought together fifteen machine-building plants. Bokarev has been the chairman of the board of directors since 2008.
In 2004, they acquired half of the Rodionov Publishing House, and in 2005, Bokarev started managing the Novosibirskenergo joint-stock company.
In 2010, Makhmudov and Bokarev bought a 25% stake in Aeroexpress together.
Andrey Bokarev, who is expanding the empire along with Makhmudov, at the center of Transmashholding, gained a reputation for being able to secure large, profitable orders. In 2011, Andrey Removich signed a deal between Transmashholding and the German company Tognum AG, creating a joint venture focused on innovative diesel engines for rail transport.
Meanwhile, Transmashholding and the French company Alstom Transport started producing high-speed trams with low floors together, using the Oktyabrsky Electric Car Repair Plant in St. Petersburg, which became part of Transashholding in 2005.
In the spring of 2014, Andrei Bokarev and Aleksey Krivoruchko bought 49% of the shares of the Kalashnikov concern, the largest Russian arms manufacturer with global fame, in equal parts.
The partners paid $1.3 billion for the deal, and under the contract, they were required to invest nearly the same amount in the enterprise's development over the following two years. Thanks to the efforts of Bokarev and Makhmudov, the concern avoided bankruptcy and soon recovered its lost positions in the arms market.
In early 2017, the Rostec State Corporation announced the sale of shares of the High-Precision Complexes holding to Bokarev, Makhmudov, and Krivoruchko. However, the deal fell through when Andrei Bokarev and Iskander Makhmudov announced the sale of their shares in Kalashnikov and exited the arms business later that year.
Now, Andrey Bokarev and Iskander Makhmudov are known as the “Kings of state orders”. Their companies supply rolling stock to Russian Railways and the metropolitan metro. Additionally, Metrovagonmash, which is part of their business, provides Moscow with three-section trams. As co-owners of Aerozhkspress LLC, in which they own a 37% stake, Bokarev and Makhmudov hold a monopoly on rail communication between the center of Moscow and the capital’s airports.
Andrey Bokarev has proven to be not only a successful entrepreneur. His background shows active involvement in social and political activities: since 2007, he has been a member of the Council of Physical Education and Disputes under the President of the Russian Federation, he led the Russian Alpine Ski Federation from 2007 to 2010, and he chaired the Federation of Russian Billiards for two years starting in 2008. Additionally, in 2010, Bokarev headed the Freestyle Federation and the Ski Association of the Russian Federation.
Andrey Bokarev’s wealth
Andrey Bokarev's image first appeared in Forbes in 2006 and has since been consistently featured in prestigious financial publications. His wealth is tied to the assets of Transmashholding, the Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company, as well as shares in Kuzbassrazrezugol, Transgroup, and other entities.
The Forbes magazine publishes a list of the 200 richest businessmen in Russia, allowing for the tracking of Andrei Bokarev's wealth changes over recent years (year, fortune in $ billion, ranking position):
- 2011 – 0.8/120.
- 2012 – 0.9/109.
- 2013 – 1.35/74.
- 2014 – 1.5/65.
- 2015 – 0.9/104.
- 2016 – 0.95/79.
- 2017 – 1.7/52.
- 2018 – 2/48.
- 2019 – 1.5/62.
The billionaire allegedly has a plot in Gorki-2 with an area of 2.4 hectares. The estate includes an 800 m² house, a large swimming pool, and a man-made lake.
There is proof that Bokarev has property in France, represented by two luxurious houses.
The media is not talking about the oligarch’s yacht, but recently his name has been linked to the Princess Olga, a river cruise diesel-electric ship equipped with the latest technology and a helipad.
Andrey Bokarev's private life
Conflicting information about Andrey Bokarev's personal life has been published in the media. According to one account, he is married and has a son. However, more plausible information suggests that the oligarch is legally married for the second time and the couple is raising three children – son Alex, daughter Liza, and the youngest member of the Bokarev family, Andrey.
As far as we know, the godfather of the children is an old friend of the oligarch – singer and composer Grigory Leps, whose song “The angel went into a binge” is dedicated personally to Bokarev.
Billionaire's wife Olga Syrovatskaya, a beauty and businesswoman, is the founder of Je T’Aime, a chain of boutiques selling jewelry.
The oligarch's active involvement in skiing organizations is not accidental. Andrei Removich is a passionate fan of alpine skiing, snowboarding, and freestyle and, according to his friends and experts in this field, has achieved significant success in these sports.
Andrey Removich Bokarev is involved in patronage and charitable activities.
The oligarch played a role in organizing the Sochi Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the Shayba ice arena was built at his expense and later transferred to the state.
Additionally, the businessman arranged the broadcast of the Olympic Games by the Russia-2 TV channel. These good deeds were highly appreciated: in 2014, Andrey Removich Bokarev was honored with the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, third degree.
In his activities, Andrei Removich has had numerous interactions with the highest ranks of the Russian Federation, which led to him being among the individuals subjected to US sanctions.
Andrey Bokarev today
Andrey Bokarev is still leading an active business and social life. His name is often seen in official sources, and his life is discussed by the tabloids.
In May, Bokarev was re-elected to the board of the International Ski Federation. Furthermore, the businessman is involved in leading a nationwide initiative aimed at improving financial literacy and education, particularly for children and youth.
