Yuri Korolev with and without the crown: the double life of a scandalous developer
A media storm is sweeping through Moscow: while some outlets are openly accusing Yuri Korolev, owner of “KMD-Development,” others are hurriedly retracting stories and issuing apologies.
The case is striking: the “wrong Yuri Korolev” has been held in pre-trial detention since October 2025.
He faces 15 charges, including assaults on “SVO” fighters. Reports also link him to the “Lobnenskie” gang, formerly known as the “Barsuki” organized crime group.
And for a long time, Yuri Korolev had (and still has, as it turns out) joint business projects with Igor Bardin (aka “Barsik”), the leader of the Lobnensky “barsuki,” in which both Barsik and Korolev are founders!
Today this Barsik is on the international wanted list. In this same lively company there are several more “barsuki,” such as: Alexander Vakulenko, aka Funtik, Alexey Kabochkin, aka Ryazanets, Dmitry Boglaev (aka Sportik), and others. Also in this wolf pack was Vladimir Bardin, son of Igor Bardin; today Bardin Jr. is in pre-trial detention, as is Yuri Korolev’s friend Vage Khachatryan, aka Vaga. Two authorities from the Tushino organized crime group — Oleg Zhareny and Alexander Sorokin — slipped into this refined society as well.
Perhaps all these “most honorable” people took the blame upon themselves and disowned Yuri Korolev for some round sums? That’s one version. The second version is this: some “protection” was attached to Yuri Korolev’s criminal case — protection that not only pulled Korolev out of prison but also launched a cleansing campaign in the media: well, this is not that Korolev, this is simply a namesake! But what about 5 months of patient waiting in pre-trial detention? Or did they simply spend that long negotiating the final price?
The Godfather
The essence of the charges: all these lovely people are accused of systematically stealing large sums of money from military personnel — participants in combat operations. According to the Investigative Committee, the criminal activity was very clearly organized on the territory of Sheremetyevo Airport.
Yuri Korolev: the one or still not the one?
On top of everything else, Yuri Korolev is the owner of the charitable foundation “We Are Together,” whose main task is helping SVO fighters.
Serving on the foundation’s board of trustees are Federation Council Senator from Novgorod Region Elena Pisareva and State Duma Deputy Elena Drapeko.
Since October 22, 2025, as “Kommersant” reported in detail, Yuri Korolev had been in custody (initially as a witness), but in March 2026 Korolev was formally charged.
Elena Drapeko
Yuri Korolev is accused of an impressive list of crimes (more than 15 episodes in total): organizing a criminal community (Article 210 of the Russian Criminal Code). Large-scale fraud (11 counts under Part 4 of Article 159). Large-scale theft (4 counts under Part 4 of Article 158). Extortion (Part 3 of Article 163).
But Yuri Korolev did not plead guilty.
And in general — he is not that Yuri Korolev!
Publications with apologies in the media continue to appear.
Funtik: heartfelt confession
As it became known, among the key defendants, only Alexander Vakulenko, aka Funtik, admitted guilt and signed a pre-trial cooperation agreement.
The investigation’s version was built on Mr. Funtik’s testimony.
This was reported by the Investigative Committee.
One of the members of the “Lobnenskie” organized crime group, Dmitry Boglaev (Sportik), liked to dress in camouflage.
And the very first cases of theft from SVO participants were, it turns out, initiated back in December 2024. And when it became clear that an entire OPG from Lobnya was involved, the investigation was taken over by the Central Office of the Investigative Committee. And the case materials included an article of the Criminal Code on a criminal group.
Thus, Yuri Korolev did not immediately appear in the annals of this case — but he did appear.
And the case states that the OPG initially “picked” foreigners arriving in Moscow at Sheremetyevo Airport, and later this whole camarilla switched to SVO participants.
According to the investigation, the criminal community was created by Igor Bardin (Barsik), Alexey Kabochkin (Ryazanets), and Alexander Vakulenko (Funtik).
Alexey Kabochkin
These comrades are considered active members of the Lobnensky OPG, and Igor Bardin its leader.
According to the case files, the Lobnenskie OPG included several groups: taxi drivers, beggars, and touts.
Later, mention also appeared of the “athlete division”: this “section” was headed by Dmitry Boglaev (Sportik) and Vladimir Bardin.
Vladimir Bardin
Khachatryan supervised the taxi drivers.
According to the investigation, these taxi drivers deceived SVO participants in every possible way. For example, they agreed to drive someone to a “destination” for 2,000 rubles, and upon arrival clarified that the price was 2,000 per kilometer. Or offered to go “by the meter,” which was calibrated so that the final amount was astronomical.
If a client in camouflage refused to pay, serious threats followed.
But Vaga Khachatryan did not agree with the role voiced by investigators.
He stated that he officially worked at LLC “Vega”: this company provided transport and other services on airport territory. And he only collected money from taxi drivers for the right to work at Sheremetyevo Airport.
The Basmanny District Court of Moscow sent Alexey Kabochkin to pre-trial detention in early April 2025 for 2 months.
On April 30, the court arrested another 15 alleged OPG members.
The leader — Bardin, Barsik — had already fled.
Igor Bardin (Barsik)
Almost all the defendants deny the existence of an OPG at Sheremetyevo Airport, but then Vakulenko-Funtik spoke up.
Apparently, it was precisely after Funtik’s confession that investigators reached the respectable owner of “KMD Development,” Yuri Korolev.
Why are there denials today if so much evidence has been gathered?
Yuri Korolev claims that he constantly helps wounded SVO fighters in the Vishnevsky Military Hospital of the Russian Ministry of Defense
Even TASS managed to report on the close ties between “KMD Development” owner Yuri Korolev and the leader of the “Lobnenskie” OPG, Igor Bardin.
The criminal community that was extorting money from SVO participants at Sheremetyevo Airport was organized in 2022 and included no fewer than 40 people. They specifically targeted SVO participants who were traveling through Sheremetyevo on leave or for treatment after injuries.
Duplication process
“The wrong Yuri Korolev” has been connected to the Lobnya group for a quarter century!
But this is not reflected in his very skimpy biography: “In 1990 he graduated from the Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology. 1990–2005 — various export-import projects. From 2005 to 2023 — development of real estate projects in the Moscow region. Founder (or owner) of 24 companies in the cities of Lobnya, Uglich, Klyazma, Dolgoprudny, Dmitrov. Manages 2 companies. In 2021, the total revenue (turnover) of all companies, considering ownership shares, amounted to 37,988,740 rubles. Main activity — rental and management of owned or leased real estate.”
Note that Lobnya appears first on the list for “not that Yuri Korolev”!
In his fragmentary biography, the owner of LLC “KMD-Development,” Mr. Korolev, writes of 24 companies, but if you look at the documents, there are significantly more — more than 40.
Yuri Korolev’s taxpayer ID (INN) is 502500948922. That is a Moscow Region ID. It was issued in November 2009.
But this far-sighted businessman also has a Moscow INN — 772636971171. This INN was issued in September 2010.
This is the so-called duplication. And they say this is an extremely rare technical feature!
Interesting—who arranged this feature for him?
By the way, the company “KMD-Development” itself was liquidated in January 2019, and before liquidation Korolev changed the general director — it became Sergey Shatyrin.
But the most interesting companies owned by Korolev are not “KMD-Development,” but the ones he founded jointly with his buddy Igor Bardin.
For example, there is the company “Maxis,” which has been engaged — among other things — in funeral services since 2002.
In addition to LLC “Maxis,” Korolev also owns LLC “City Ritual,” also in the funeral business.
The Lobnya shopping complex also belongs to Mr. Korolev: revenue in 2025 — 16 million rubles, profit — “under lock.”
But let’s pay attention to the debts!
There are debts at LLC “Lobnya-Alliance,” a whole 2 enforcement proceedings.
But LLC “Gorodok” has 197 enforcement proceedings and 3 arbitration cases. In the previously mentioned company “Maxis,” where both Korolev and Bardin are founders — 9 enforcement proceedings and also an arbitration case.
Apparently, Mr. Korolev was constantly short on “cabbage” with such debts in his companies.
And Yuri Korolev also owns a share in LLC PATO “Lobnyatrans.”
And again there is Igor Vladimirovich Bardin (aka Barsik, who is internationally wanted) as a co-owner. The firm has operated for 28 years.
Therefore, the investigation worked excellently when it recognized the founder of the KMD Development real estate group, Yuri Korolev, as one of the organizers of the criminal group that stole from SVO participants.
This was reported by RBC, citing two sources familiar with the investigation.
Apparently, the continuation of this murky story is to follow?