MOSCOW – The independent Russian station Dozhd (TV Rain) has aired a report alleging that a childhood friend of President Vladimir Putin’s is worth an estimated $550 million and owned a substantial stake in the Gunvor oil-trading company between 2005 and 2010.
Kremlin critics claim the investigative report aired on Sept. 26 establishes a connection between Putin and Gunvor, a company some have alleged to be a source of undeclared income for the president. Putin’s declared assets are modest, and he has repeatedly denied allegations of ties to Gunvor and secret personal wealth.
