Russia takes control of a significant bread manufacturer company, accused of backing Ukrainian military forces
In a dramatic turn of events, the Rodnikovsky District Court in Ivanovo Oblast, Russia, has seized half of the shares of Rizhsky Khleb (also known as Riga Bread), a major bread producer in the region. The decision was made following a lawsuit filed by the Russian Prosecutor General's Office against Latvian citizen Normunds Bomis, who co-founded the company with Russian entrepreneur Sergei Sirenko in 2006.
The prosecution alleges that Bomis has violated Russian anti-extremism laws by financing Ukraine’s military. The claim is based on donations made by Bomis to the Latvian charity Ziedot.lv, which Russian authorities accuse of supporting the Ukrainian military’s Azov Brigade—designated a terrorist group by Russia in 2022. Prosecutors allege Bomis transferred around $36,800 to this charity between 2023 and 2025, with the funds allegedly used to purchase weapons and ammunition.
The prosecution further argues that Rizhsky Khleb's assets constitute a "financial base" for an "extremist association" aimed at undermining Russian state interests, justifying terrorist activity, and providing funds for activity against Russia. The prosecution has asked the court to ban the group and transfer Bomis’s stake to the Russian state.
Media reports indicate that Tetiana Prykhodko, who is connected to Ukrainian companies, is also implicated. The prosecutor’s office claims Prykhodko used social media accounts linked to her businesses to publish content that “discredits” the Russian military and authorities, while “glorifying” the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). However, there is no evidence in the available reports that Prykhodko is directly involved with Rizhsky Khleb’s ownership or operations.
The case appears to be part of a broader pattern in Russia of targeting foreign-owned assets and individuals perceived as supporting Ukraine since the 2022 invasion. Khlibnyi Hurman, a company based in Chernihiv and Kyiv, is also part of the alleged extremist association. Bomis is also reported to have established a rehabilitation center for Ukrainian soldiers at one of his bakery’s production sites in Latvia.
It is not immediately clear if the seizure of half of the shares of Rizhsky Khleb is final or subject to further appeals. The company, which reportedly generates annual revenues of 1.5 billion rubles (approx. $19.18 million) and gross profits of 630 million rubles (approx. $8.05 million), is a significant player in the Russian bread industry.
| **Key Figure** | **Alleged Role** | **Legal Action by Russia** | |------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------| | Normunds Bomis | Co-owner of Rizhsky Khleb; accused of financing Ukrainian military via Ziedot.lv | 50% stake seized; company labeled “extremist” | | Tetiana Prykhodko | Social media activity “discrediting” Russian military, supporting AFU | Cited in case, no direct seizure reported | | Ziedot.lv | Latvian charity accused of funding Ukrainian military | Cited as conduit for “extremist” financing | | Khlibnyi Hurman | Ukrainian company part of the alleged extremist association | Not specified |
The Russian confiscation of half of Rizhsky Khleb is framed as a response to alleged extremist activities by co-owner Normunds Bomis, primarily his financial support for Ukraine through a Latvian charity. The case reflects the Russian government’s increasingly aggressive use of anti-extremism laws to seize foreign-owned assets and penalize perceived support for Ukraine.
- Concerns about the health of the Russian economy have arisen following the seizure of half of Rizhsky Khleb's shares, a significant player in the Russian bread industry.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts between Russia and Ukraine have spilled over into the realm of politics and policy-and-legislation, with the prosecution of Normunds Bomis and the seizure of Rizhsky Khleb's assets being a prime example.
- The general news is filled with reports of Russian court cases targeting foreign individuals and assets, with the case of Rizhsky Khleb being another instance of this trend, potentially affecting the overall global economic landscape.
