Alisher Usmanov

Alisher Usmanov
Usmanov in 2013
Alisher Usmanov
Born	9/9/1953
Birthplace	Chust, Uzbek SSR, Soviet Union
Nationality	Russian, Uzbekistani
Occupation	Businessman, investor
Known for	Metalloinvest, USM Holdings, Kommersant publishing house, MegaFon, investments in Facebook, Twitter, Alibaba Group
Alma mater	Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO)
Awards	President of the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (2008–present)

Alisher Burkhanovich Usmanov (born 9 September 1953) is a Russian-Uzbek businessman and investor whose fortune comes chiefly from his ownership stake in Metalloinvest, one of Russia's largest iron ore and steel producers, along with early and substantial investments in technology companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Alibaba Group. Born in the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic, he rose to prominence in the post-Soviet era through investments in metals, mining, media, and telecommunications. He owns the Kommersant publishing house and co-owns MegaFon, one of Russia's largest mobile operators. Since 2008, he's served as president of the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (FIE), fencing's international governing body. After Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Usmanov faced sanctions from the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and Ukraine, prompting him to suspend his FIE duties temporarily. His business moves, legal battles, political ties, and sports involvement have kept him in the international spotlight.

Early Life

Alisher Usmanov was born on 9 September 1953 in Chust, a city in Namangan Region of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic, then part of the Soviet Union. He grew up in Soviet Uzbekistan during a period of significant industrial and social transformation. His family background emphasized education and public service.

From 1980 to 1986, he spent six years in a Soviet prison after conviction on fraud and embezzlement charges. But the conviction was later overturned. In 2000, Uzbekistan's Supreme Court rehabilitated him politically, ruling the case had been fabricated and no crime had occurred. This overturning fit a broader pattern of re-examination of Soviet-era judicial proceedings that followed the Soviet Union's collapse, when many convictions were reconsidered and vacated.

Education

Usmanov studied at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), one of the most prestigious universities in the Soviet Union and a training ground for Soviet diplomats and international affairs specialists. The school was known for its rigorous curriculum and its role in preparing graduates for careers in foreign service and international commerce. His MGIMO education gave him fluency in multiple languages and understanding of international business. That proved instrumental later on.

Career

Early Business Activities

Usmanov began his entrepreneurial career in the Soviet Union's final decade. By the 1980s, he'd established himself as a businessman within the Soviet economic framework. Prison interrupted those early years from 1980 to 1986. Following his release and legal rehabilitation, he re-entered business and positioned himself to take advantage of the economic reforms and privatizations that followed the Soviet Union's 1991 collapse.

Metals and Mining

His primary wealth source has been metals and mining investments. He holds a 49% ownership stake in Metalloinvest, one of Russia's leading mining and metallurgical companies and among the world's largest iron ore producers. Metalloinvest's operations span iron ore mining, hot briquetted iron production, and steelmaking, making it central to global commodity markets.

Beyond Metalloinvest, Usmanov co-owns the Udokan mine. It's developing one of the world's largest undeveloped copper deposits. Located in the Zabaykalsky Krai region of Russia, the Udokan deposit holds enormous reserves and could significantly increase global copper production.

Technology Investments

Usmanov attracted international attention for substantial early investments in several of the world's most prominent technology companies. Through Digital Sky Technologies (later rebranded as Mail.ru Group and subsequently VK), he made significant investments in Facebook (now Meta Platforms), Twitter, and Alibaba Group, the Chinese e-commerce conglomerate. He was also a major investor in VK (formerly VKontakte), Russia's largest social networking platform.

These technology investments proved extraordinarily lucrative. The Facebook and Alibaba investments came at relatively early stages before their respective initial public offerings, generating substantial returns. His activities in the technology sector drew scrutiny during investigations into Russian capital flowing into Western technology firms. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), as part of the Paradise Papers investigation, reported on connections between Kremlin-owned entities and major investments in Twitter and Facebook.

Media and Telecommunications

Usmanov expanded his portfolio into media and telecommunications. He owns the Kommersant publishing house, one of Russia's most prominent media organizations. It publishes the daily newspaper Kommersant along with several other periodicals and media outlets. The Kommersant acquisition gave him significant influence over one of Russia's leading independent business and political publications.

In telecommunications, Usmanov co-owns MegaFon, one of Russia's largest mobile operators. It provides mobile and fixed-line telephony, broadband internet, and communications services to millions of subscribers across Russia. These holdings were consolidated under USM Holdings, an investment company he controls that manages his interests across multiple sectors.

Investment in Arsenal Football Club

Usmanov became a notable figure in English football through his investment in Arsenal Football Club of the Premier League. He began acquiring shares and became one of the club's largest shareholders, though he wasn't part of the board of directors.

His involvement with Arsenal was marked by public disagreements with the club's board. In 2012, he launched a public attack on the Arsenal board, criticizing their management and calling for leadership changes. His shareholding and ambitions for greater influence at Arsenal attracted sustained media interest in the United Kingdom. The Guardian reported extensively on his background and involvement with the club, including his Russian business dealings.

His Arsenal stake also connected to other British football clubs' finances. In 2012, reports emerged linking Usmanov to Rangers Football Club's financial situation through complex share transactions.

Esports Investments

Beyond traditional sports, Usmanov also invested in esports. Reports indicated significant sums went into esports teams and infrastructure, reflecting growing commercial interest in competitive gaming.

Sponsorship of Dynamo

He's also sponsored Russian sports organizations. In 2008, he announced sponsorship of Dynamo, a prominent Russian sports club with teams across multiple disciplines.

Fencing and the FIE

Usmanov has served as president of the Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (FIE), fencing's international governing body, since 2008. He was re-elected to the position in 2012. For decades, he's been a patron and supporter of fencing. His FIE presidency has been characterized by increased financial investment in the sport and efforts to raise its international profile.

Following the imposition of international sanctions in 2022, he temporarily suspended his FIE duties. He again suspended them in 2024 after being re-elected, reflecting the ongoing complications sanctions have created for his role in international sports governance.

Sanctions and Legal Proceedings

International Sanctions

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Usmanov was sanctioned by the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and Ukraine. The governments imposed sanctions based on his described close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He's denied having close ties to Putin.

Sanctions resulted in asset freezes in the relevant jurisdictions and restrictions on his business transactions. German authorities raided properties associated with Usmanov as part of their EU sanctions enforcement.

German Investigations and Settlement

German prosecutors investigated Usmanov for alleged violations of foreign trade law related to sanctions evasion. In December 2025, Germany agreed to close its investigations into Usmanov's alleged foreign trade law violations in exchange for approximately 10 million euros (nearly $12 million). The Munich II Public Prosecutor's Office closed its probe upon the financial settlement.

The Los Angeles Times reported that German prosecutors agreed to drop the investigation after Usmanov consented to the settlement amount.

Legal Actions in German Courts

Usmanov has pursued legal actions in German courts to challenge media statements made about him. In November 2025, the Hamburg Regional Court ruled in his favor regarding claims made by an individual on Facebook about Usmanov and his sister. The court restricted publication of several contested statements.

In January 2026, a German court further ruled in his favor, restricting certain media claims made about him by a German newspaper. Another court ruling restricted media publications of several contested statements about him.

Wikipedia Editing Controversy

In 2012, reports emerged that Finsbury, a public relations firm, had edited Usmanov's Wikipedia page. The Daily Telegraph reported on the PR firm's involvement in modifying the encyclopedia article, raising questions about how public figures' online profiles are managed.

Personal Life

Usmanov holds citizenship in both Russia and Uzbekistan. He's maintained residences in multiple countries. In the United Kingdom, he reportedly owned London property where plans for a substantial basement renovation drew complaints from neighbors.

He's been noted for philanthropic acts. In 2014, he purchased James Watson's Nobel Prize medal at auction and returned it to him. Watson, the co-discoverer of DNA's structure, had become the first living Nobel laureate to sell his medal. Usmanov stated he didn't believe a scientist of Watson's caliber should have to sell his prize. The medal was returned immediately after purchase.

Recognition

Since 2008, his role as FIE president represents his most prominent position in international sports governance. He's been re-elected multiple times, including in 2012 and again in 2024, though sanctions have repeatedly forced him to suspend his presidential duties.

Forbes has consistently ranked Usmanov among the world's wealthiest individuals. He's been listed as the 149th richest person globally according to Forbes. His wealth derives primarily from his 49% stake in Metalloinvest and his diversified portfolio spanning technology, telecommunications, and media.

His 2014 purchase and return of Watson's Nobel Prize medal received international media coverage. It was noted as a gesture combining philanthropy with public recognition of scientific achievement.

Legacy

Usmanov's career reflects the broader trajectory of post-Soviet business in Russia and Central Asia. His rise from Soviet entrepreneur to one of the world's wealthiest individuals followed a path common to many Russian oligarchs: acquiring valuable state assets during the 1990s privatization era, then diversifying into technology, media, and international investments.

His early Silicon Valley technology investments, particularly Facebook and Alibaba Group, showed an ability to identify transformative platforms before peak valuation. These investments brought significant attention to Russian capital's role in global technology markets. They contributed to broader discussions about technology, finance, and geopolitics. The Paradise Papers investigation by the ICIJ further illuminated how Russian-linked capital flowed into prominent Western technology firms.

Following Russia's Ukraine invasion, the sanctions imposed on Usmanov represent a significant chapter in international efforts to apply economic pressure on individuals perceived as connected to the Russian government. His legal challenges to sanctions and related media characterizations in German courts have contributed to ongoing legal discourse. Questions have emerged about evidentiary standards for justifying sanctions on individuals and the rights of sanctioned persons to contest public statements about them.

His long tenure as FIE president has marked international fencing governance. Yet sanctions have raised questions about geopolitics and international sports administration intersecting.