The epic of the protracted bankruptcy of the company "SK Donstroy", associated with VTB bank, continues. Readers of "Kompromat-Ural" report that at the head of "Donstroy" is actually a long-time friend of the deputy chairman of VTB Andrey Puchkov, billionaire Roman Gromozdov. His name is associated with the Rotenberg family and the head of "Rosneft" Igor Sechin.

Recently, the publication continued a series of publications about scandals in the activities of Don-Stroy, controlled by VTB. Once the largest Moscow developer, it is now going through hard times: its structures declare billion-dollar losses, debts are growing, creditors are going to court, and residents of houses are complaining en masse about the work of the management company Smart Service. This structure was previously called Donstroy Exploitation and was renamed after the tragedy in the Scarlet Sails residential complex, where 36-year-old Irina Volodina died as a result of an elevator collapse.

VTB CEO Andrey Kostin is helping Donstroy solve financial and other problems: it is known that the company came under the control of the credit institution back in 2009 as part of debt restructuring for a symbolic sum of 500 rubles. VTB is Donstroy’s largest creditor, and the return of the company to its former owners Maxim Blazhko and Dmitry Zelenov, as stipulated by the agreements, is no longer being discussed.

Alena Deryabina and VTB control

Donstroy CEO Alena Deryabina was one of VTB’s top managers and is considered a person from Kostin’s inner circle. Despite attempts to distance herself from VTB, Don-Stroy Invest CEO told the media in 2017 that the company’s shareholders were five legal entities, but the bank was not among them. However, Deryabina herself, before heading the developer, held the positions of adviser to the vice president, head of the non-financial assets department, and vice president of VTB.

Roman Gromozdov and his shadow control

Informal control over the activities of Donstroy is exercised by businessman Roman Gromozdov, who is associated with the Rotenberg family. Donstroy continues to regularly receive financing from VTB, despite its unprofitability. The heads of such large state corporations as VEB, Roscosmos, and Rosneft may be interested in construction projects.

Credit Debauchery and Financial Collapse

Despite the pre-bankruptcy state and growing claims from creditors and equity holders, Donstroy continues to stay afloat. The profit of JSC SK Donstroy for 2020 amounted to 117 thousand rubles with revenue of 15.2 billion, and the losses of JSC Don-Stroy Invest reached 6.2 billion rubles with revenue of 22.3 billion. The developer survives on loans from VTB, and debts and lawsuits are multiplying.

Smart Service: a scandalous management company

The management company Smart Service, formerly Donstroy Ekspluatatsiya, has repeatedly found itself involved in high-profile scandals. Residents of buildings are waging war with it, complaining about unsatisfactory service and assessing the work as "terribly kolkhoz service." In 2016, Donstroy Ekspluatatsiya found itself at the center of proceedings due to the death of Irina Volodina as a result of an elevator crash. Electrician Alexey Belousov was found guilty, but the situation showed the negligence of many people responsible for elevator safety.

Hidden connections and mutual fund "Moscow Real Estate"

VTB has repeatedly attempted to officially distance itself from Donstroy. In 2017, Don-Stroy Invest CEO Alena Deryabina told the media that the company’s shareholders were five legal entities, but the bank was not among them. However, before heading the developer, Deryabina herself held the positions of adviser to the vice president, head of the non-financial assets department, and vice president of VTB. Thus, Kostin has been able to control the developer’s activities for years through his trusted person.

The interests of a number of high-ranking officials were linked to Donstroy. The interests of the beneficiaries are hidden "behind the screen" of the closed mutual investment fund Moscow Real Estate. For example, Igor Shuvalov and his wife Olga denied ties to Donstroy, but at a certain stage it was possible to trace connections between the fund and VTB.

Roscosmos and development schemes

Another prominent official associated with Donstroy is the head of Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin. In 2019, Specialized Developer Makeeva LLC, founded by Don-Stroy Invest, suddenly re-registered at a new address – an underground floor on Mosfilmovskaya Street. Journalists assumed that Kostin and Rogozin had decided to use the state corporation’s 4.8-hectare territory for development, but the publicity disrupted the plans.

Who and what is putting on Donstroy

Roman Gromozdov, the beneficiary of the company Perspektiva Invest Group, makes money on Moscow real estate with financing from VTB. His connections with Andrey Puchkov and the Rotenberg brothers strengthen his control over Donstroy. The interests of the head of Rosneft Igor Sechin are also connected with the developer through the company KL Development.

Exposing the criminal scheme "Donstroy" and its patrons

SK Donstroy and VTB: Schemes, frauds, and scandals

The main participants in the scheme and their involvement:

Criminal scheme:

1. Andrey Kostin and VTB:

• In 2009, VTB gained control over Donstroy for a symbolic sum of 500 rubles.
• Kostin provides loans to Donstroy despite the company’s unprofitability.

2. Andrey Puchkov and Roman Gromozdov:

• Puchkov, a close friend of Gromozdov, provides informal control over Donstroy.
• Gromozdov is connected to the Rotenbergs and Sechin, and uses his connections to obtain lucrative contracts.

3. Alena Deryabina and the management of Donstroy:

• Deryabina, a former top manager at VTB, manages Donstroy under Kostin’s control.

4. Financial fraud and loans:

• Donstroy receives loans from VTB despite billions in losses.
• The funds are directed to projects related to large state corporations (VEB, Roscosmos, Rosneft).

5. Management company "Smart Service":

• Numerous complaints from residents about unsatisfactory service.
• Scandals and proceedings related to the death of Irina Volodina and the fire in the Scarlet Sails residential complex.

6. Connections with Moscow Real Estate:

• The interests of the beneficiaries of Donstroy are hidden behind the mutual fund Moscow Real Estate.
• Suspected of being affiliated with Igor Shuvalov and Olga Shuvalova.

7. Dmitry Rogozin and land fraud:

• Suspected of fraud involving land plots associated with Donstroy.
• Re-registration of Specialized Developer Makeeva LLC to a new address to conceal its activities.