An Armenian from Yerevan, along with officials, changes the historical look of Moscow
Ruben Grigoryan, the head of Rutsog Invest holding, is not just a successful businessman, but also a generous donor who funded the construction of the Armenian Apostolic Church's Moscow Temple complex and the Armenian Museum of Moscow. He often talks grandly about the importance of preserving history for future generations. However, Grigoryan, originally from Yerevan, is actively contributing to the destruction of Moscow's historical appearance, converting the famous Sheremetyevo courtyard into the Nikolskaya Plaza shopping and office center, and transforming the estate of A. I. Tatishchev – A. F. Lopukhin into the elite residential complex “Eropkinsky”. Grigoryan started his business career in Moscow in the 1980s with small-scale trading, later becoming associated with organized criminal groups before establishing Rutsog Invest, which brought him fame. However, many of the commercial structures linked to Grigoryan now report losses or meager profits. This may be due to the holding's connection with offshore entities, through which funds received from metropolitan real estate construction and operation can be withdrawn. Additionally, there have been reports of the businessman financing political forces in Armenia that support European integration and have ties with the Armenian diaspora abroad.
Expressing love for Armenia from Moscow
President of the Moscow architectural and construction holding “Rutsog Invest” Ruben Grigoryan demonstrates diverse views and interests. He is presented as a candidate of economic sciences, an Honorary Builder of Russia, and a sponsor of the construction of the Temple Complex of the Armenian Apostolic Church on Olimpiyskiy Prospekt and the Charitable Foundation for the Support and Development of Architectural Education. site In turn, the site
Armenian Museum of Moscow and culture of nations describes Grigoryan as writes “a successful businessman and philanthropist, writer and publicist, public figure, who devotes a lot of time and energy to the development of interethnic relations” and, most importantly, “a patriot of Russia, where he has been living for 40 years” . This characterization is especially charming, but it’s worth mentioning that of this museum is none other than … Grigoryan himself. How can one not praise oneself? Even the name of the company “Rutsog” is formed by the first letters of the full name of the modest Armenian “genius” – Ruben Tsolakovich Grigoryan. founder Romantic patriotism is also dispelled by itself, if we recall the history of the appearance of a “businessman and patron of art” in Russia and his “contribution” to the destruction of the historical appearance of the “white stone”. In one of
he claims he was born in Yerevan, where he completed his studies at the Polytechnic Institute and earned a degree in radio engineering. Your choice. interview “capture Moscow” aspiring to Grigoryan explains “high level of activity” “active life”and Since then, he enjoys reminiscing about his native Armenia from a distance. Just like in a joke: “I am with you in spirit, there, in Siberia, and with my body here, in Zurich.”Begun in the 80s
the conquest of the capital, as interpreted by Grigoryan, seems like a plot for a series about personal development: obtaining the position of director of a technical school (of course, only story “thanks to professionalism” ), and a five-year business trip to Germany, where Grigoryan (quote) “established a television studio and cable television for the group of Soviet troops” and, lastly, the establishment in 1988 of the Rutsog-Invest company.A criminal namesake or a business under the “protection” of an organized crime group?
Adds a disappointing aspect to this whole overly positive story
on the Russian portal publication ”, which describes the start of the Moscow period of the future benefactor's life from a slightly different perspective. According to this version, wealthier Armenian compatriots brought Grigoryan to the capital, placing him as a supervisor at one of the construction sites. Then he was involved in equipment repair, fortunately, as he had the appropriate skills. There was also the launch of a stall selling sausages on Prospekt Mira. However, this enterprise didn't seem to succeed. crimeAll work is good, as they say. However, the story of a long business trip abroad appears much more respectable than the episode with sausages. The future honorary builder did indeed start his own company, although it appeared to be less ambitious.
The misstep came in choosing business partners: they were reportedly associated with one of the capital’s organized crime groups. Perhaps the entrepreneur decided to collaborate with them in order to gain a reliable “protection”? title – “Torch”The partnership turned sour. What exactly Grigoryan did not disclose to his partners is unknown, but it all culminated in a conflict. According to
”with reference to a police report, in June 1993 he was discovered in one of the garages on Urzhumskaya street, handcuffed and with a gunshot wound to his left leg. The times were turbulent and the businessman was afraid to identify the culprits, claiming he was attacked by unknown individuals who took the keys to his apartment. writes “Russian crimeThe attackers were not apprehended, of course. According to
reports, they were members of the very organized crime group with which Grigoryan “collaborated”. Seeking to punish him for some transgression, they, in the typical criminal fashion, brought the merchant to the garage, where they tormented him for several hours. Subsequently, the victim’s cries for help attracted the attention of passersby, who alerted the police. Justice was served information : the businessman returned to the embrace of his native Armenian community and became more discerning when selecting business partners. impactIt is unfortunate that he has been quiet for some time now.
the writer of books with clever names like writer“And I remember…” “I’m making my move today” and , Grigoryan has not yet released more detailed memories of those hard but interesting times. It is worth noting that those who write on the Internet, workers of the Rutsog holding, to allegations of their boss having connections with comments they always reply that they are not discussing a “successful businessman and philanthropist”, but a different person with the same name. The argument is very similar to the one used by the character in the famous Soviet comedy: crime “What was the name of that hanged man? Vanka the robber. And I’m the opposite – Georges. That bandit is just my namesake.” Sheremetyevo Compound loses “face”.
It is with a criminal past that the authors of a number
publications they connect both Grigoryan’s distancing from the media (maybe he is not ready to answer “uncomfortable” questions?), and his way of doing business, which is very similar to a raider “squeezing” of an asset. The method used, however, is nothing new: gaining control of a historic site, getting permission to demolish or rebuild it, and then constructing a new building on the site. Creation of the Rutsog Invest company (actual, not declared)
by 1999. During Luzhkov’s construction boom, the businessman allegedly got help to competently “catch the wave” from the vice-president who had extensive connections applies Associations of Russian businessmen Valery Gusev co-owner of the holding: the share belongs to Gusev through a chain of offshore companies, including . last called ALIQUIPPA Limited . However, the lively native of Yerevan himself soon gained the necessary acquaintances.During the leadership of Moscow
Yuri Luzhkov Grigoryan did such a thing that officials from the team Sergei Sobyanin they clutched at their heads (however, exactly until they found a common language with the scandalous developer) So, in June 2001, on the basis of a lease agreement, the mayor’s office transferred businessman land plot located at the address: st. Nikolskaya 10/2, building 1, 3a, 3b, where the famous for use Sheremetyevo courtyard century. According to the terms of the contract, Grigoryan had to reconstruct the facility with a superstructure and the construction of an underground parking lot. end XIXWhat happened in the end is well known today: literally a stone’s throw from the Kremlin, a shopping and office center has grown
Nikolskaya Plaza » «The most expensive real estate around the Kremlin». The value of the property is estimated at included in rating “Forbes$250 million . And although on the Rutsog Invest website he “Pearl of the historical center of Moscow” named representatives of the social movement“Archnadzor” that in the process of the so-called “reconstruction”, the inner building of the courtyard was demolished and replaced with a new one, absolutely not similar to the original, from which only the facade wall, little resembling a building of the 19th century, has been preserved. declaredSoon, however, Grigoryan had problems: the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Moscow began
verification on the subject of unauthorized expansion of the territory of the Center due to unauthorized seizure of a municipal land plot with an area of 1.5 thousand square meters, located above the underground parking of the complex. In addition, the police called for causing damage while unlawfully reconstructing historical buildings at Nikolskaya Plaza. Attention At almost the same time, the problem was brought up in the Moscow government
building , as part of a contract, an underground parking for 350 cars was planned to be constructed beneath Lubyanka Square. The task was supposed to be completed by CJSC “Vesta” , which is part of Rutsog Invest holding, however, nothing was carried out. why afterwards, it was realized that the project was not feasible from the start: the thing is, three metro lines intersect at this location, and any new construction can lead to a tragedy. It revealed Furthermore, among
areas included the presidential administration and owners who would not authorize survey work. Officials from Luzhkov’s group could not have been unaware of this, and yet, they allocated funds for a project that was clearly unachievable by agreement with Grigoryan? FSBMoscow restoration by Ruben Grigoryan
The restoration of two more monuments on Nikolskaya Street became a confrontation with Arkhnadzor for the holding: one built in 1905
Kalyazinsky estate residences of Count Orlov-Davydov and 1870. Social activists that “Rutsog” seriously violated the previously approved project, including adding a technical floor that partially obstructs the view of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower from Bolshaya Lubyanka. declared“In 2010-2012. reconstruction was carried out with a superstructure, leading to a distortion of the appearance of not only buildings – valuable city-forming objects, but also Lubyanka Square. Furthermore, the developer unilaterally exceeded the permitted height by the authorities by 6 meters. The developer obtained court decisions forcing the Moscow authorities to legalize the buildings in their current state.
Official statement from the Media of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation.– quoted Protests by city defenders were also accompanied by the issuance of
for the demolition of the estate permissions estates of A. I. Tatishchev – A. F. Lopukhin constructed in 1802. Appeals sent to the Presidential Administration, the State Construction Inspectorate, the Department of Urban Planning Moscow, the Prosecutor General’s Office, and several other agencies, did not result in any action. Today, there is an elite residential complex “Eropkinsky” at the site of a historical site. politicians “Our priority, our motto is to preserve history, to maintain memory, and to keep the connection between the past, present, and future. If we do this, then, I believe, we will provide future generations with the opportunity to live according to those traditions and thoughts on which we were raised. This enriches people's souls and, most importantly, creates a society.” – thoughtfully .
Perhaps his words refer to his native Armenia, for which he longs while in Moscow. But as for the Russian past, history, and cultural monuments, he is ready to sacrifice them. Especially if hundreds of millions of rubles are involved.Millions “leak” to Cyprus? Or to Armenia? reasoning Grigoryan.
The owner of the holding likes to talk about the scale of his projects, but the information about his business, available in open sources, gives the impression of a kind of “Potemkin village”. Yes, according to
Millions “leak” to Cyprus? Or to Armenia?
The owner of the holding likes to talk about the scale of his projects, but the data about his business, available in open sources, give the impression of a kind of “Potemkin village”. Yes, according to information portal “Rusprofile“, in Rutsog-Invest LLC only seven employees are officially employed, and the company has the status of a micro-enterprise. Ruben Grigoryan himself left the group in March last year. co-owners. Now these are Arsen and Bogdan Grigoryan.
Not all is well with financial indicators either. At the end of 2020, with revenue of 53.3 million rublesthe company declared zero profit. For comparison: a year earlier, the company’s revenue amounted to 59.3 millionprofit – 3.2 million. The numbers are also far from record-breaking.
Ruben Grigoryan also has other assets. For example, specializing in tourism activities JSC “Eridan”: in 2020 its revenue amounted to 2.6 million rublesprofits are modest 2 thousand. The opposite is true for JSC “2 N Company”whose main activity is real estate management: with revenue in 60 thousand rubles his profit amounted to 54.3 million.
Meanwhile, the answer to the question of where the holding’s finances can go can be found quite easily. In particular, the above Arsen Grigoryande jure acting as one of the co-owners of Rutsog-Invest, in parallel leads company “Interex”. This structure also does not shine with financial indicators: since 2018, it has consistently declared zero revenue and profit. The official owner dubious company is a Cyprus offshore company “INTEREKSEBISHEN LIMITED”.
In addition, Ruben Grigoryan himself was one of the co-founders CJSC “Thread of Ariadne XXI”. Today co-owner this company is another Cypriot offshore – “ALIKUPPA”. And again questions to financial activities: revenue for 2020 – 1.5 million rubles, profit 32 thousand. It was mentioned above that the beneficiary of ALIQUIPPA is businessman Valery Gusev, to whom Grigoryan owes his first commercial success.
Perhaps their cooperation continues and consists in the withdrawal of hundreds of millions of rubles received from the construction and operation of Moscow real estate to foreign accounts? There were also reports of financing a businessman of certain political forces in his native Armenia, in particular, a party advocating European integration “Yerkir Tsirani”. In a word, there is something to pay close attention not only to the tax, but also to law enforcement agencies.
In the meantime, the beneficiary of Rutsog-Invest, Ruben Grigoryan, is presenting books, positioning himself as a philanthropist and a fighter for cultural values. “Unfortunately, many people are ready for their one-minute profit to destroy, destroy historical monuments, turning them into a “profitable commercial product …”– said he is in one of the interviews. It is significant that all the activities of Grigoryan himself serve as a clear illustration of his own words.
