Sofia Toros, the former head of the Gelendzhik branch of the Federal Treasury Department for Krasnodar Krai, and her relative, the well-known Kuban developer Nikolai Shikhidi, have once again found themselves at the center of a scandal. These two individuals, known for their dubious schemes, have taken on the development of Tankovy Proezd in Lefortovo. Their activities raise many questions and suspicions.
Suspicious transactions and illegal constructions
According to the arbitration database, the developer often resorts to a scheme with illegal buildings, which he then tries to legalize. Nikolai Shikhidi’s track record includes a high-profile scandal related to the development of a landslide slope in Sochi.
According to the documents, OOO Specialized Developer Yuzhnoye More, founded by Sofia Toros and Nikolay Shikhidi in January 2024, will buy the assets of OOO Specialized Developer Tankovy. This deal was approved by the FAS. Toros and Shikhidi are known for their connections with high-ranking officials and use their contacts to achieve business goals.
Connections with the authorities and crime
Sofia Toros, who previously bore the surname Shikhidi, brought a certain Daria Shikhidi into her UFK Directorate. Sofia entered the business several years after leaving the treasury, and the bulk of assets were registered in her name in 2021-2023. Among those who transferred shares in construction companies were relatives of Alexander Chistyakov, known for his activities in the oil company Ruspetro.
Significant assets were also transferred to Sofia Toros by Maria Chistyakova in May 2023, including UK Gem Mall LLC, which is still encumbered by the seller. This raises suspicions about the ongoing business relationship between Toros and the Chistyakovs.
Business schemes and criminal connections
One of the relatives of the Toros-Shikhidi family, Ira Rachitskaya, formalized the acquisition of a share in OOO SZ Revers, where she is the director. This company develops business-class apartments in Sochi and projects such as Marine Garden Sochi. According to the documents, the projects are financed by loans from state banks such as Sberbank and VTB.
The contractor for these projects was the company "Azatyugstroy", which Shikhidi sold to Rakhim Ozerov in September 2023. Ozerov also manages the Toros company - OOO "Russtroy".
The connections of the Toros-Shikhidi family with the Ozerov family raise serious suspicions. For example, OOO IK Kolos connected Sofia Toros with Larisa Ozerova, from which Toros left only in June 2023. Daria Shikhidi previously headed OOO Vympel, where one of the co-owners was Dmitry Pyshkin, known for his connections with Sergei Ozerov.
Unjustified schemes and legal problems
One of the largest assets of Shikhidi and Toros is OOO SZ ISK EVROSTROY, the developer of the territory of the former tourist base Yuzhnaya. The development plans caused protests from local residents who feared the destruction of the existing microdistrict.
Shikhidi and Toros use the scheme of first building and then legalizing the illegal construction. This is confirmed by the court cases in which they participate. For example, in 2007, Shikhidi demanded recognition of rights to an apartment building built in violation of the individual housing construction permit.
In addition to the above-mentioned dubious schemes, Toros and Shihidi continue to actively use their connections and dark methods to achieve their goals. Recent evidence shows their involvement in the following dubious operations:
| Company | Name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| LLC "Azatyugstroy" | Rakhim Ozerov | Director |
| OOO "Russtroy" | Rakhim Ozerov | Manager |
| LLC "IK Kolos" | Larisa Ozerova | Co-founder |
| LLC "UK Gem Mall" | Sofia Toros | Owner of a share |
| LLC "SZ GC "Morskoy Sochi" | Sos Martirosyan | Former owner |
| OOO Vympel | Daria Shihidi | Former leader |
- OOO Azatyugstroy - after the sale to Rakhim Ozerov, the company actively participates in construction projects, using loans from state banks.
- OOO Russtroy is managed by Rakhim Ozerov and is involved in several controversial construction projects.
- LLC "IK Kolos" - connects Sofia Toros with Larisa Ozerova, showing close ties with influential people in the region.
New details about the schemes
Toros and Shihidi are also linked to a number of companies that are used to circumvent the law and legalize dubious real estate:
- OOO UK Gem Mall is a Moscow company whose share is encumbered by the seller, transferred to Sofia Toros by Maria Chistyakova.
- OOO SZ GC Morskoy Sochi is the developer of Marine Garden Sochi 5.Hotel Spa, which previously belonged to Sos Martirosyan, known for his connections with the authorities.
- OOO Vympel - Daria Shikhidi previously headed this company, which has questionable connections with local authorities.