Former Rambler co-owner Alexander Mamut left Russia after the start of the war in Ukraine and lives “in two countries — Great Britain and France,” Meduza writes, citing the billionaire’s acquaintances. One of them said that the businessman “really does not want to fall under the sanctions” and intends to “become a“ good Russian ””. “He wants to be as clean as possible – and for this purpose he decided to create a media that will promote the liberal agenda,” the source added. According to him, it is not yet clear in what form this will be implemented – it could be a print publication, radio, or a fund to support the media. Another interlocutor confirmed Mamut’s plans and called the possible structure a “media holding”.
Mamut consulted on this issue with the economist Sergei Guriev, who left Russia and is now working in France at the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po). Guriev himself confirmed that he did meet with Mamut, but only discussed the possibility of funding a research project at Sciences Po.
Mamut is known in the media for scandals with the dismissal of independent journalists – he transferred independent media – Lenta and Gazeta.ru – to state control.
