The statute of limitations saved the founder of “Russian Milk,” Boyko-Velikiy, from 15.5 years in prison for land theft.
A controversial businessman was released from serving 15.5 years in prison for creating an organized crime group.
After reviewing lawyers' appeals, the Moscow Regional Court ordered the release of most of those convicted in the criminal case against Vasily Boyko-Velikiy, founder of the Russkoye Moloko agricultural holding and the Vash Finansovoy Popechitel (Your Financial Trustee) company. According to investigators, the criminal organization (Article 210 of the Criminal Code), created by the businessman two decades ago, stole land plots worth 347.9 million rubles in the Moscow region.
On November 19, 2025, the Mozhaisk City Court of the Moscow Region sentenced Mr. Boyko-Veliky to a total of 15.5 years, plus a remaining sentence. His accomplices, including former officials from the Ruzsky District, received sentences ranging from 10 to 15 years. The Moscow Regional Court, meanwhile, ruled that the statute of limitations had expired and released the defendants.
“Today (February 13—Kommersant) concluded the appeal hearing of the appeals against the verdict, and the court, applying the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution, released all of the convicted persons from punishment. Everyone went home, with the exception of Vasily Vladimirovich, who still has several months left to serve under the Cheryomushkinsky Court's verdict in a different criminal case. The statute of limitations began running in January 2011,” Boyko-Veliky's lawyer, Victoria Shonina, told Kommersant.
