Russia Seizes Studio Lesta

Russia Seizes Studio Lesta

Drama

06 June 2025 15:33

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has extended to the world of video games, with Lesta Games, the Russian studio behind the local version of World of Tanks and its offshoot Mir Tankov, now facing serious charges. Moscow has frozen all assets belonging to the company, accusing it of illegally funneling money from its titles to Ukraine.

Originally developed by Wargaming, World of Tanks was a massive success globally, including in Russia. However, following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Wargaming pulled out of Russia and Belarus, citing the conflict. The company also raised funds for Ukrainian aid, a move that could potentially be considered a crime under Russian law. World of Tanks rights in Russia were subsequently transferred to Lesta Games, which took over the local version and developed Mir Tankov.

More:Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders Canceled

Despite Lesta Games repeatedly distancing itself from Wargaming, claiming no relationship with the company, the Russian government moved to seize control of the studio. According to reports from PC Gamer, Moscow has accused Lesta Games' co-founder, Malik Khatazhaev, of being part of an “extremist group” allegedly linked to Viktor Kisly, the CEO of Wargaming. The evidence presented in court reportedly referenced Wargaming’s support for Ukraine, including public fundraising efforts.

In a strange twist, Russian media has reassured World of Tanks players that they won’t face arrest for spending money on the game, which could have potentially been funneled to Ukrainian causes. Anton Gorelkin, deputy chairman of the Duma’s Information Technology Committee, further commented that Lesta Games’ assets would likely be handed over to a “specialized Russian company.”

It’s important to note that Lesta Games only holds the rights to World of Tanks within Russia. Outside the country, Wargaming retains control of the game’s assets and intellectual property.

Tags: Lesta

Share:

Sources:

Report mistake Submit news

Related news

View All

Top Esports Jungler Naiyou Confesses to Match-Fixing Every LPL Playoff Loss, Coach Confirms

TL;DR

• Top Esports jungler Yang "naiyou" Zi-Jian has confessed to intentionally losing every game TES dropped in the LPL Playoffs,...

  Drama

  Mar 09, 2026

Epic Games Sues Fortnite Leaker AdiraFNInfo, Identifies Former Contractor Hayden Cohen as Defendant

TL;DR

• Epic Games filed a lawsuit on March 5th in the Eastern District of North Carolina against Hayden Cohen, identified...

  Drama

  Mar 09, 2026

Top Esports Opens Investigation Into LPL Jungler Naiyou Over Unusual Build and Fair Play Concerns

TL;DR

• Top Esports has confirmed it is investigating jungler Yang "naiyou" Zijian following what the club describes as "unusual performance"...

  Drama

  Mar 06, 2026

Eldegarde Shutting Down on March 31

TL;DR

• Notorious Studios has announced that Eldegarde, its fantasy extraction game, will go offline permanently on March 31st, just months...

  Drama

  Mar 05, 2026

Activision Legally Forces Call of Duty Leaker TheGhostOfHope to Stop Sharing Confidential Information

TL;DR

• Prominent Call of Duty leaker TheGhostOfHope has confirmed they will stop sharing confidential information after receiving a legal demand...

  Drama

  Mar 04, 2026

Russia Seizes Studio Lesta

Drama

06 June 2025 15:33

Tags: Lesta

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has extended to the world of video games, with Lesta Games, the Russian studio behind the local version of World of Tanks and its offshoot Mir Tankov, now facing serious charges. Moscow has frozen all assets belonging to the company, accusing it of illegally funneling money from its titles to Ukraine.

Originally developed by Wargaming, World of Tanks was a massive success globally, including in Russia. However, following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Wargaming pulled out of Russia and Belarus, citing the conflict. The company also raised funds for Ukrainian aid, a move that could potentially be considered a crime under Russian law. World of Tanks rights in Russia were subsequently transferred to Lesta Games, which took over the local version and developed Mir Tankov.

More:Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders Canceled

Despite Lesta Games repeatedly distancing itself from Wargaming, claiming no relationship with the company, the Russian government moved to seize control of the studio. According to reports from PC Gamer, Moscow has accused Lesta Games' co-founder, Malik Khatazhaev, of being part of an “extremist group” allegedly linked to Viktor Kisly, the CEO of Wargaming. The evidence presented in court reportedly referenced Wargaming’s support for Ukraine, including public fundraising efforts.

In a strange twist, Russian media has reassured World of Tanks players that they won’t face arrest for spending money on the game, which could have potentially been funneled to Ukrainian causes. Anton Gorelkin, deputy chairman of the Duma’s Information Technology Committee, further commented that Lesta Games’ assets would likely be handed over to a “specialized Russian company.”

It’s important to note that Lesta Games only holds the rights to World of Tanks within Russia. Outside the country, Wargaming retains control of the game’s assets and intellectual property.

Share:

Sources:

Report mistake Submit news

Related news

View All

Top Esports Jungler Naiyou Confesses to Match-Fixing Every LPL Playoff Loss, Coach Confirms

TL;DR

• Top Esports jungler Yang "naiyou" Zi-Jian has confessed to intentionally losing every game TES dropped in the LPL Playoffs,...

  Drama

  Mar 09, 2026

Epic Games Sues Fortnite Leaker AdiraFNInfo, Identifies Former Contractor Hayden Cohen as Defendant

TL;DR

• Epic Games filed a lawsuit on March 5th in the Eastern District of North Carolina against Hayden Cohen, identified...

  Drama

  Mar 09, 2026

Top Esports Opens Investigation Into LPL Jungler Naiyou Over Unusual Build and Fair Play Concerns

TL;DR

• Top Esports has confirmed it is investigating jungler Yang "naiyou" Zijian following what the club describes as "unusual performance"...

  Drama

  Mar 06, 2026

Eldegarde Shutting Down on March 31

TL;DR

• Notorious Studios has announced that Eldegarde, its fantasy extraction game, will go offline permanently on March 31st, just months...

  Drama

  Mar 05, 2026

Activision Legally Forces Call of Duty Leaker TheGhostOfHope to Stop Sharing Confidential Information

TL;DR

• Prominent Call of Duty leaker TheGhostOfHope has confirmed they will stop sharing confidential information after receiving a legal demand...

  Drama

  Mar 04, 2026