Ukrainian MP Oleg Dunda has asked officials in Ukraine and Germany to examine Wadim Rosenstein and WR Group Holding for possible violations of sanctions legislation. Rosenstein, a German businessman running for president of the chess federation, faces questions raised in Ukrainian media about companies linked to him and his family.
Dunda sent appeals to three officials: Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine; Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha; and Germany’s ambassador, Boris Ruge. He urged Sybiha and Ruge to pursue a criminal investigation in Germany, and asked Budanov to consider sanctions against Rosenstein. The request draws in part on Ukrainian media reports about LLC WR Rus, a Russian company those publications describe as controlled by Rosenstein, both personally and through WR Group. Financial data cited by the journalists pointed to rapid growth in the company’s business from 2023 onward. Revenue reportedly reached €18 million, almost fifteen times higher, while net profit rose about 3.5 times to €1.8 million.
The publications cited in Dunda’s appeal also examined individual transactions. One involved Anastasia Zadorina, identified in the reports as the daughter of Russian Federal Security Service Colonel General Mikhail Shekin. WR Rus imported Italian footwear worth more than €500,000 for her in 2025, information from the reporting. The reports also said other customers included businesses associated with Russian oligarchs under sanctions.
Separate questions concern LLC 2R Integra, a logistics company owned by Rosenstein’s brother Mikhail. The same reporting said its revenue grew almost fortyfold after Russia’s war against Ukraine began, reaching €21 million. Journalists alleged that the company delivered various categories of industrial goods to Russia despite sanctions restrictions. The products mentioned included dual-use items made by India’s Polycab.
The controversy has also drawn comment from Ukrainian chess officials. Vladimir Kovalchuk, vice-president of the Ukrainian Chess Federation, had previously called for action on similar grounds. He said continued business activity in Russia could ultimately support the Russian economy as the country funds its war effort. Kovalchuk also suggested that Rosenstein withdraw from the FIDE race before the September 26 vote.
Ukraine’s chess authorities have taken part in other sanctions campaigns in the sport. The Ukrainian federation was among the organizations pressing for sanctions against former FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich. He later stepped down after being added to EU sanctions lists.
At the end of August, the Ukrainian federation also succeeded in getting the Russian team removed from the World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. The Olympiad is due to take place at the end of September, with the presidential election planned for the same location.
Wadim Rosenstein, Kazakhstan businessman Timur Turlov and German venture capitalist Jan Henric Buettner are the three candidates in the election. Travel restrictions may affect voting: an official FIDE statement said several delegates eligible to vote have faced visa difficulties, leaving open the possibility of a change to the election schedule.
