Russia bans World of Tanks game publisher
A Russian court has banned the operations of video game publisher Lesta, citing the owners' support for Ukraine's armed forces, TASS has reported. It's the first such ruling against a gaming company in Russia.
Lesta Group is a Russian video game developer and regional publisher of 'World of Tanks' and 'World of Warships.' Based in St. Petersburg, the company has developed games since the early 2000s and was formerly part of Wargaming, the international studio behind World of Tanks. After Wargaming withdrew from Russia and Belarus in 2022 due to Western sanctions, Lesta continued operating its titles independently in the region.
On Tuesday, the Tagansky District Court of Moscow granted a request by the Prosecutor General's Office to ban and classify as extremist the activities of Wargaming co-founder Viktor Kisly and Lesta owner Malik Khatazhaev.
'The court orders 100% of the companies' shares to be transferred to the Russian Federation,' Judge Mikhail Strogonov said. The ruling takes effect immediately.
A source familiar with the case told TASS the decision was based on the two men's 'material support of the Kiev regime,' saying they had 'financed funds specializing in the purchase of equipment for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.'
The ruling reportedly does not affect Lesta Group's operations, its partners, or its users. 'The group will continue to develop and operate its products. User support and company operations remain stable,' the source said, adding that Kisly and Khatazhaev no longer hold any rights to the company.
In a statement on Telegram, Lesta Group confirmed the ruling did not apply to the company itself or its users and said services would continue without disruption. It added that the firm would come under temporary state administration – a move that, it noted, would not have been possible had the company been formally banned. Lesta said it planned to appeal what it called an 'unfair' decision.
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