Re:Telegram messaging app proves crucial to Belarus protests
by SXX on Friday August 21, 2020 @01:52PM
(#24237215)
> I am still very suspicious at how he managed to flout around Kremlin for so long.
His first successful project (VK) was founded and gained popularity partially using money of really weird investors some of whom were related to Kremlin.
Also keep in mind that Russia was just a kleptocracy until around 2008-2010 and only after 2012 when Putin decide to get back presidency everything started to go really sour. So it's not surprise they taken control of the company away from him shortly after.
Not a billionaire, at most 2-3 hundred megabucks cash as his Russian assets are rendered effectively worthless, and he burned himself a lot trying himself in investments, real estate, and, in general, burning money on expensive things, including telegram, like no tomorrow.
I am still very suspicious at how he managed to flout around Kremlin for so long.