Real estate brokers use words like “exclusive” and “luxury” to describe Razdory, but the village just west of Moscow is actually quite welcoming — to anyone with a fortune.
The area around Razdory once hosted the country residences of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and Russian president Boris Yeltsin. Today, the tony mansion enclave is a popular haunt of political elites and oligarchs, regardless of the source of their funds.
One particularly expansive Razdory estate of nearly 1,500 square meters features two sprawling wings, classical columns, and winding driveways. Similar homes in the village list for about US$19.5 million, according to local real estate agencies.
The mansion is likely the home of General Mikhail Mikheyev, the head bodyguard of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, according to an investigation by OCCRP partner Novaya Gazeta. Property records list the owner as Natalia Mikheyeva, who shares the general’s last name. Her relation to him could not be established. Yet at least two sources and other corroborating information point to the general’s ownership.
Mikheyev’s position in the Federal Guard Service — the state agency charged with protecting top Russian officials — does not provide the sort of income that would explain the luxurious house. According to Russian regulations, he is prohibited from engaging in business.
Journalists have previously reported that Mikheyev was one of the few key points of access to the prime minister, allowing businessmen to approach him with requests to be passed to the top.Of course it's no match for "Putin's Palace" down on the Black Sea
Questionable Connections
Two sources told Novaya Gazeta that the sprawling estate was in fact Mikheyev’s residence. To confirm, reporters delivered a letter prominently addressed to him. Staff at the property said it was the right place, and that they would get the envelope to Mikheyev....MORE
Via the IB Times:
Pictures showing the vast Black Sea palace allegedly built for Vladimir Putin
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