Moscow Court Freezes Assets of Russian Gaming Studio Amid Controversy

May 7, 2025 - 01:16

In a significant legal development, a Moscow court has frozen the assets of Lesta Games, a company renowned for its development of "Mir Tankov," the Russian adaptation of the popular "World of Tanks" video game. This move comes after Wargaming, the original developer, exited the Russian market following the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian Prosecutor General's Office has leveled serious charges against Lesta Games, accusing the studio of extremism and alleging that it has been involved in financing the Ukrainian Armed Forces. As a result, authorities are pushing for the confiscation of all assets belonging to Lesta Games.

Despite these allegations, Malik Khatazhaev, the head of Lesta Games, has firmly denied any wrongdoing, labeling the charges as unfounded. However, he has acknowledged the possibility that the studio may face nationalization as the situation unfolds. This case highlights the growing tensions within the gaming industry and the broader implications of geopolitical conflicts.