Lesta Games the studio behind Wargaming's multiplayer games like World of Tanks in Russia might have its assets taken.
After Russia invaded Ukraine Wargaming said it would leave Russia and Belarus. It also transferred support for its games like World of Tanks and World of Warships to Lesta Games. Even though Wargaming and Lesta Games are separate companies Wargaming’s support for Ukraine and a 2023 in-game event seem to have caught the attention of the Russian government.
The event included all of Wargaming’s games and raised over a million dollars. The developer donated this amount to Ukraine’s United24 service to buy new ambulances for the country’s emergency services.
The Russian government has taken control of all the shares owned by Malik Khatazhaev the owner of Lesta Games, and Viktor Kislyi the CEO of Wargaming. Court documents from Russia's Prosecutor General's Office say Khatazhaev and Kislyi are part of a group involved in extremist activities.
Lesta Games said in a message on Telegram: We follow the laws of Russia and Belarus. So we have no reason to be worried or hide anything. We haven't broken any rules and have nothing to fear.
Lesta based in Russia is a clear target but what about Wargaming since it's mentioned in the documents too? A representative told The Daily Star Wargaming left the Russian and Belarusian markets three years ago. We handed over our business there to local management for free with no debt or cash involved and have no plans to take it back. Wargaming has no assets or business interests in Russia and Belarus. This suggests that any actions taken against Lesta by the Russian government won't affect Wargaming's operations globally.
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