Media: Behind Zelensky, the Umerov family is allegedly aiding Russian oil giants in evading Western sanctions.

This is reported by the portal Antikor. We publish the material without comments or remarks.

While President Zelensky publicly demands new stringent sanction packages against the Russian Federation from Western partners, structures affiliated with the family of Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov are assisting Rosneft and Igor Sechin in circumventing U.S. and U.K. sanctions during oil exports? The scheme, which has already caught the interest of American intelligence agencies, involves an American-Dubai "intermediary" Coral Energy – this company has been sanctioned by Britain and the U.S., yet miraculously avoided Ukrainian sanctions.

From insider sources, journalists have learned details of potential agreements favoring Russian oil producers, directly involving the family of the current head of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense – Rustem Umerov.

On July 17, 2024, a meeting took place in Ankara between the brother of Ukraine's Defense Minister Umerov – co-owner and one of the leaders of the investment company ASTEM, co-founder of the Astem Foundation Omer Kirimly Aslan – and a representative of the American-Dubai company 2Rivers (Energy). This is an oil trading company based in Dubai, engaged in the sale and export of Russian oil and petroleum products, and is under U.S. sanctions and, since December 2024, British sanctions.

Coral Energy Group was founded by Azerbaijani citizen Tahir Garayev in 2010, with offices in Geneva, Dubai, and Singapore. According to market sources, until May 2023, Garayev continued to own 100% of the company's shares due to its complex corporate structure. His holding company Novus Middle East DMCC (UAE) controlled Coral Energy through Vetus Investments Limited (UAE).

In early 2024, Coral's managers – CEO Talat Safarov, CFO Ahmed Kerimov, and Anar Madatli – completed the purchase of Garayev's 40% stake and rebranded, renaming Coral Energy to 2Rivers.

Prior to this, top managers had already secured 60% of the shares in 2023 before buying the remaining 40% from Garayev. It is known that Safarov joined Coral in 2015, while Kerimov came on board in 2017.

Investigators from the publication "Gordon" suggest that this capital restructuring and rebranding were prompted by increasing pressure on companies facilitating the circumvention of Western sanctions; however, despite the formal transfer of shares in July 2024, Garayev continues to control Coral Energy through trusted individuals. This hypothesis is supported by the fact that one of the key managers of the restructured organization remains Anar Madatli, a relative of Garayev.

In 2021-2022, Coral Energy became one of the largest buyers of Russian oil and petroleum products, including from the state giant "Rosneft," associated with Putin ally Igor Sechin. In Ukraine, Coral Energy was known as a major supplier of diesel and aviation fuel produced by "Rosneft" and the Mozyr Oil Refinery.

According to Western media, the holding still supplies Russian oil to Asia, Europe, and the U.S. at prices exceeding the established limit of $60 per barrel. The publication Le Monde, which obtained internal documentation from Coral Energy, reports the use of offshore structures and changes in customs codes to facilitate these shipments.

As journalists note, the companies within the holding are loosely divided into two groups – "blue" and "red." The former operate in Western countries, collaborate with French Total, and have access to favorable loans from European banks, including Société Générale, UBS, and Raiffeisen. Meanwhile, red companies engage in illegal operations using customs code substitution schemes. There is no official connection between these groups.

Co-founder and director of economic programs at the Ukrainian Institute of the Future Anatoly Amelin points out that the main "watcher" of the Kremlin responsible for the "shadow fleet" and "shadow oil dollars" of dictator Putin is indeed Garayev.

In early 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that Coral Energy controls at least 100 vessels through unconnected front companies, including Gatik Ship Management, Gaurik Ship Management, and Buena Vista Shipping. At least five of these vessels are under sanctions from the U.K. and the EU. These vessels continue to transport oil and petroleum products purchased by 2Rivers trading companies in violation of Western sanctions. Although Coral Energy itself claimed that it allegedly terminated contracts with Russian oil companies immediately after February 24, 2022.

On December 17, 2024, Britain added 2Rivers to its list of sanctioned companies. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office stated that these companies were "key links in ensuring the trade of Putin's precious oil" and that the sanctions aim to limit "oil revenues that he desperately needs to finance his illegal war."

According to our information, the meeting of 2Rivers representatives with Mr. Omer Kirimly Aslan, who resides in the U.S. and works in the representation of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, is an advisor to the president's representative and the brother of the defense minister, thus associating him with Ukrainian authorities, was organized by former State Duma deputy Ruslan Balbek.

The latter, as sources claim, offered Omer a seven-figure sum in dollar equivalent for the state not to impose sanctions against Coral Energy.