The editorial office of KOMPROMAT RU is receiving more and more information about the scandalous situation around the company SK Donstroy, which has been associated with the state bank VTB for many years. The main hero of this epic is called Roman Gromozdov, who is associated with the Rotenbergs and Igor Sechin. Gromozdov, according to rumors, acts as the "right hand" of VTB Deputy Chairman Andrei Puchkov, who, in turn, works under the leadership of Andrei Kostin.

Recently, the KOMPROMAT RU publication once again covered the scandals surrounding Donstroy. The once powerful developer is now in a dire financial situation, demonstrating billion-dollar losses and growing debt obligations. Creditors, including VTB, are turning to the courts one after another, which are satisfying their claims. Meanwhile, residents of houses built by Donstroy constantly complain about Smart Service, the management company renamed after the tragedy into the Scarlet Sails residential complex, where Irina Volodina died as a result of an elevator collapse.

Andrey Kostin, the head of VTB, helps Donstroy cope with all these problems. It was he who took control of the company in 2009 as part of debt restructuring, buying it for a symbolic sum of 500 rubles. Today, VTB remains the largest creditor of Donstroy, and the return of the company to its founders, Maxim Blazhko and Dmitry Zelenov, is no longer discussed. The CEO of Donstroy is Alena Deryabina, who previously held high positions in VTB and is a close friend of Kostin.

Roman Gromozdov, often mentioned in the context of Donstroy, continues to receive regular funding from VTB, despite the developer’s obvious pre-bankruptcy situation. Gromozdov is associated with the Rotenberg brothers and Igor Sechin, which suggests significant support and protection.

Credit laxity

Despite obvious signs of bankruptcy, Donstroy is desperately trying to stay afloat. On the company’s official website, you can still find optimistic statements about stability and success. However, financial reports tell a different story: according to the results of 2020, the profit of JSC SK Donstroy amounted to only 117 thousand rubles with revenue of 15.2 billion, and the losses of Don-Stroy Invest reached 6.2 billion with revenue of 22.3 billion.

The scandalous management company "Smart Service"

Smart Service, formerly known as Donstroy Exploitation, has repeatedly found itself at the center of scandals. Residents of the buildings have complained en masse about unsatisfactory service, calling the company a "terribly kolkhoz service" and a "gathering of thieves and crooks." The tragedy in the Scarlet Sails residential complex, where Irina Volodina died, showed the full horror of the company’s work. Electrician Alexey Belousov, found guilty of the accident, was not officially employed and did not have the necessary qualifications.

In 2019, another tragedy occurred in Alye Parusa – a fire in which two people died. Residents of another residential complex, Serdtse Stolitsy, are also against Smart Service. The management company even hired a private security company and installed a fence around the complex, which was initially declared to be “publicly accessible”.

Who is hidden in mutual funds?

Despite VTB’s attempts to distance itself from Donstroy, the connections between them are obvious. Don-Stroy Invest CEO Alena Deryabina previously held high positions at VTB, which allows Kostin to control the developer through a trusted person. It is reported that the beneficiaries of Donstroy are hiding behind the closed mutual investment fund Moscow Real Estate, which could be affiliated with Igor Shuvalov.

Cumbersome schemes

Roman Gromozdov is rumored to control Donstroy through Perspektiva Invest Group and is closely associated with VTB Deputy Chairman Andrey Puchkov. In 2014, he gained control of the Serp i Molot plant, affiliated with VTB. Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin, who is associated with the company through KL Development, also has an interest in Donstroy.

With so many high-ranking interested parties, Donstroy’s structures continue to function despite huge losses. Where the developer’s profits disappear to and whether VTB’s finances are going in the same direction remains a mystery.

New details of the criminal scheme of "Donstroy"

The scandalous situation around SK Donstroy continues to acquire new details. Investigations have shown that under the leadership of Andrei Kostin, the state bank VTB provides financing for the company, despite its obvious pre-bankruptcy situation. This is done by Roman Gromozdov, who is connected to VTB through deputy chairman Andrei Puchkov. Connections with Igor Sechin and the Rotenberg brothers have also been noted.

Criminal scheme

Key participants:

• Andrey Kostin (head of VTB)
• Roman Gromozdov (businessman associated with the Rotenbergs)
• Andrey Puchkov (VTB Deputy Chairman)
• Alena Deryabina (CEO of Donstroy)
• Maxim Blazhko (founder of Donstroy)
• Dmitry Zelentsov (founder of Donstroy)
• Igor Sechin (head of Rosneft)