Konstantin Grigorishin
Konstantin Grigorishin (born 16 November 1965) is a Ukrainian billionaire.[3][4]
Konstantin Grigorishin | |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 November 1965 Ukraine, USSR |
| Nationality | Ukrainian |
| Citizenship | Russian, Ukrainian and Cypriot |
| Alma mater | Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Net worth | US$1.1 billion (March 2015)[1] |
| Spouse(s) | divorced[2] |
| Children | 2[2] |
Native of Zaporizhia, Grigorishin only gained Ukrainian citizenship in 2016.[5]
On 1 November 2018, Russian sanctions were imposed against 322 citizens of Ukraine, including Grigorishin.[6]
Early life
Grigorishin was born on 16 November 1965,[7] in Ukraine, and earned a master's degree from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.[1]
Career
Grigorishin became wealthy selling metallurgy products from Ukraine to Russia in the late 1980s.[1] He is a leading shareholder in the Energy Standard Group, which owns several factories in Ukraine[1] among which Sumy Engineering and Science Association, a transportation company "Ukrrichflot" (Ukrainian river fleet), and Zaporozhtransformator (ZTR).
In 2015 Russian authorities accused Grigorishin of evading taxes worth 675 million rubles, which he denies, and a criminal case against him was opened.[7] Shortly after Grigorishin permanently moved back to Ukraine.[7] In April 2016, a Russian court issued an arrest warrant for Grigorishin in absentia.[7] Meanwhile Grigorishin acquired Ukrainian citizenship.[7]
Grigorishin has claimed he financed the Communist Party of Ukraine during the presidency of Viktor Yanukovych (2010-2014) "for political protection."[7] He has also claimed to have loaned $12 million to Arsen Avakov and Viktor Baloha, at the time both members of Our Ukraine–People's Self-Defense Bloc, for elections in 2007.[7] Ukrainian media has also claimed Grigorishin used to finance the Social Democratic Party of Ukraine (united) and Yabluko.[7][2]
On 1 November 2018, Russian sanctions were imposed against 322 citizens of Ukraine, including Grigorishin.[6]
Personal life
Grigorishin was[2] married to Oksana Grigorishina, with three children and his residence was Moscow, Russia.[1] After Grigorishin gained Ukrainian citizenship in 2016[5] he resides in Kiev, Ukraine.[7] He is currently divorced.[2] Grigorishin has a son and a daughter.[2] His son Ivan played six times for the California Golden Bears, the team of the University of California, Berkeley.[3]
Grigorishin has an art collection estimated to be worth $300 million.[1]
In 2017, it was reported in The Guardian that Grigorishin had acquired Cypriot citizenship in 2010 through a "Golden visa" scheme.[8]
Grigorishin is the founder and sole sponsor of the International Swimming League.[3][4]
References
- "Forbes profile: Konstantin Grigorishin". Forbes. February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
- (in Russian)/(website has automatic Google Translate option) Short bio, LIGA
- Swimming Goes Pro With League Backed by Ukrainian Billionaire, Bloomberg (23 November 2019)
- Making a splash: new big-money competition shakes up swimming, The Guardian (18 June 2019)
- Russian oligarch received Ukrainian citizenship (Российский олигарх получил гражданство Украины). Khvylya. 30 May 2016
- Åslund, Anders. "Making Sense of Russia's New Draconian Sanctions on Ukraine". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- "Konstantin Grigorishin: The Oligarch Who Says He Is Not - Dec. 22, 2016". kyivpost.com. 22 December 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
- Pegg, David (17 September 2017). "The billionaires investing in Cyprus in exchange for EU passports". the Guardian. Retrieved 8 February 2018.