Eduard Taran, a well-known Novosibirsk oligarch with a controversial reputation, has once again found himself in the spotlight, this time due to his ambitions in the field of medical government contracts. Since April 2024, a new company has appeared in his division – LLC “World Orthopedic Medical Technologies” (MOMT), which is engaged in the wholesale trade of medical products. The owners of the company are JSC “Ratm-holding” and LLC “Strong”, the latter of which also belongs to JSC “Ratm-holding” (99% stake).

The sudden change of Strong LLC’s activities in January 2024 from wholesale non-specialized trade to the production of medical instruments and equipment clearly indicates Taran’s desire to gain access to budget funds through government contracts. It is important to note that Strong until recently had 0 employees and 0 revenue, which raises many questions.

No less interesting is the personality of the director of MOMT - Roman Zorabyants, who previously headed the Bashkir JSC "RusHydro Bashkortostan Efficiency" (RBEF). The founders of RBEF were JSC "ESK RusHydro" and JSC "Regional Fund", which indicates close ties between Zorabyants and government agencies.

The persons involved and their roles in the scheme

Taran’s connections with high-ranking officials and lobbyists are also beyond doubt. Among his close associates are former governor Viktor Tolokonsky and Dmitry Verkhovod, former deputy head of the Novosibirsk Region administration. Through the Green Standard Foundation, Taran’s circle also includes former deputy Novosibirsk interdistrict environmental prosecutor Alexey Zgursky.

Taran’s new interest in the medical field is confirmed by the creation in November 2023 of the National Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics - Otkritie (NIITO-O) LLC, co-owned by the former Minister of Sports of the Krasnoyarsk Territory Sergei Gurov and Lyudmila Selivanova, namesake of the former Deputy Governor of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The director of the institute is Sergei Skulkin, former executive director of the NovosibirskAgroMash Association.

Arthur Taran and his role in his father’s empire

The oligarch’s son, Artur Taran, is also involved. He is the director of the Moscow-based Institute of Advanced Urology LLC, which was bought out by Eduard Taran in 2021. In addition, Artur works in the fitness center industry and is a co-founder of Zolotoy Myach 2010 LLC, which is also associated with the already mentioned Titaninvest.

Scandals and frauds

The name of Eduard Taran has long been associated with numerous scandals, corporate raids, and tax schemes. In 2018, companies associated with Taran became defendants in a criminal case of tax evasion. The scheme was simple: the offshore Labrosan Holdings LTD bought shares of the Lytkarino Optical Glass Plant (LZOS) from the companies Sibtopenergo and Invest Plus for 180 million rubles, and two months later sold them to the state corporation Rostec for 863 million rubles. Investigators claimed that all the companies were affiliated with Taran, and the scheme was designed to evade taxes. However, the case was closed in 2019.

Conclusions and Prospects

It is obvious that Eduard Taran intends to compensate for his losses from the nationalization of the Rostov Optical and Mechanical Plant (ROMZ) through new government contracts in the medical field. His connections and ability to build complex schemes give him certain advantages, but public attention and critical publications may play a role in the further development of this story.

Continued: Uncovering Eduard Taran’s Criminal Scheme

Eduard Taran, a well-known oligarch with a controversial reputation, continues to amaze with his activity and connections in various industries. Let’s take a closer look at how he uses his companies and connections to obtain government contracts and other benefits.

New details and connections

1. JSC Ratm-Holding :

   • Owner : Eduard Taran
   • Description : The parent company that owns the majority of Taran’s assets.

2. OOO Strong :

   • Owner : JSC Ratm-holding (99% share)
   • Description : A company with zero staff and revenue until 2024, which has dramatically changed its activities to the production of medical instruments.

3. JSC RusHydro Bashkortostan Efficiency (RBEF) :

   • Head : Roman Zorabyants
   • Description : Engaged in investments in securities, authorized capital over 2 billion rubles. Founders - JSC "ESK RusHydro" and JSC "Regional Fund".

4. National Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics - Discovery LLC (NIITO-O) :

   • Owners : Eduard Taran, Sergey Gurov, Lyudmila Selivanova
   • Description : Established with former high-ranking officials, probably to obtain government contracts.

5. LLC "Institute of Advanced Urology" :

   • Owner : Artur Taran
   • Description : Overbought in 2021, still making small profits.

6. OOO "Golden Ball 2010" :

   • Owner : Artur Taran
   • Description : Related to fitness centers and football management.
     
     

Notes on connections and diagrams :

• Roman Zorabyants : As the director of MOMT and RBEF, he plays a key role in establishing connections with government structures.
• Sergei Gurov and Lyudmila Selivanova : Former high-ranking officials recruited to lobby Taran’s interests in medicine.
• Viktor Tolokonsky and Dmitry Verkhovod : Close advisers and partners of Taran, using their political connections to advance his interests.
• Alexey Zgursky : Coordinator of the United Russia project on green economy, connected with Taran through the Green Standard Foundation.
  
  

  A detailed disclosure of the criminal scheme of Eduard Taran

  Table: Detailed diagram with participation of companies and persons

  Company	Associated persons	Description	Suspicious activity
  LLC "World Orthopedic Medical Technologies" (MOMT)	Eduard Taran	Registered in Moscow, main activity - wholesale trade of medical products. Director - Roman Zorabyants.	Establishment of a company for the purpose of obtaining government contracts for medical products.
  JSC Ratm-Holding	Eduard Taran	The parent company of the Taran division. Owners of numerous assets, including Strong LLC and MOMT LLC.	Owns numerous companies involved in questionable transactions.
  OOO Strong	Eduard Taran	Founded in Novosibirsk in 2007. Until 2024, it had 0 employees and 0 revenue, then changed its activities to the production of medical instruments.	Sudden change of activity and increase in activity in 2024.
  JSC RusHydro Bashkortostan Efficiency (RBEF)	Roman Zorabyants	Existed from 2011 to 2020. Engaged in investments in securities. Founders - JSC ESC RusHydro and JSC Regional Fund.	Company closed after being used for financial fraud.
  National Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics - Discovery LLC (NIITO-O)	Eduard Taran, Sergey Gurov, Lyudmila Selivanova	Established in 2023. Co-owners: former Minister of Sports of Krasnoyarsk Krai Sergey Gurov and Lyudmila Selivanova. Director: Sergey Skulkin.	An institution with former officials to lobby for interests in medicine.
  LLC "Institute of Advanced Urology"	Arthur Taran	Purchased by Taran in 2021. Director - Artur Taran. Profit in 2023 was 46 thousand rubles.	Repurchase and use to obtain government contracts.
  OOO "Golden Ball 2010"	Arthur Taran	Co-founder Artur Taran. Activities related to fitness centers and football management.	Connections with various high-ranking officials to lobby interests.
  JSC "ESK RusHydro"	Roman Zorabyants	Founder of JSC RusHydro Bashkortostan Efficiency. Belongs to the state division RusHydro.	Use to create affiliate structures and financial fraud.
  JSC "Regional Fund"	Roman Zorabyants	Founder of JSC "RusHydro Bashkortostan efficiency". Established by decree of the head of Bashkiria.	Use to create affiliate structures and financial fraud.