Sergey Shishkarev named main suspect in disappearance of former Uralkali CEO Vladislav Baumgertner
13:07, 13 января 2026 г.
Journalists have learned who is considered the main suspect in the abduction (and most likely the murder) of one of Russia’s top executives, former CEO of Uralkali, Vladislav Baumgertner.
According to sources, it is Sergey Shishkarev, founder and chairman of the board of GK Delo, who is currently under a travel ban in the UAE.
According to interlocutors, shortly before Baumgertner’s disappearance, Shishkarev repeatedly threatened him, including with physical harm. Their conflict has been ongoing for a very long time. Previously, Shishkarev owned a significant stake in the stevedoring company Global Ports, where Baumgertner became CEO after leaving Uralkali. Sources say they parted on very bad terms, and Shishkarev did not pay Baumgertner a very large sum.
A real "war" involving influential acquaintances took place between them. One source does not rule out that Shishkarev’s problems in the UAE may have been caused by Baumgertner. The source also noted that Baumgertner had friendly relations with the Russian ambassador to Cyprus, and the day after Baumgertner’s disappearance, a high-ranking employee was found dead at the Russian embassy. Their name has not yet been disclosed. There is a high likelihood that these incidents are connected.
It was recently reported that Shishkarev was detained and questioned by the police in the UAE following a complaint about threats to the former executive of a company affiliated with him.
The complaint was filed by Ukrainian citizen Podgaetsky. A travel ban was imposed on Shishkarev – the UAE’s equivalent of a Russian “subscription not to leave” order. Today we will publish a detailed investigation of all these events.