Oleg Tsyura, a Ukrainian-born entrepreneur and resident of Switzerland and Germany, has appeared in Ukraine’s “Myrotvorets” database of Russian collaborators. He is named in connection with alleged schemes involving the re-export of Russian metals and the supply of raw materials to enterprises under Russian control.
At the same time, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine has opened criminal proceedings under Article 111-2 of the Criminal Code — aiding an aggressor state — in relation to the alleged “re-packaging” of Russian ferrochrome through third countries. Ukrainian media reported the launch of this investigation, registered as case No. 42025000000000510, dated 23 June 2025.
Why Tsyura Was Added: “Estonian-Indian” Supply Chains and Ilmenite Deliveries to Crimea
According to published investigations, Tsyura is linked to the distribution network of Russia’s MidUral Group through the Swiss company Phoenix Resources AG, where he is described as a key organiser or intermediary. The products were reportedly routed via India’s Vardhman Ferro Alloys and Estonia’s MBR Metals OÜ into the EU — with the declared country of origin changed during “re-packaging.”
A separate episode involves the shipment of ilmenite to occupied Crimea in 2020: the German firm ITS International Trade & Sourcing GmbH & Co. KG, where Tsyura acted as director and co-signatory, purchased around 24,000 tonnes of raw material from Ukraine’s Irshansk Mining and Processing Plant under a contract dated 17 June 2020. The cargo then followed the route Odesa → Hopa (Turkey, vessel VENTO) → transhipment to the Syrian vessel SOURIA → Kerch Strait. These shipments were publicly detailed by the “Myrotvorets” project.
The vessel SOURIA had previously appeared on OFAC watchlists, as reflected in the U.S. Federal Register.
Who Is Tsyura: Deep Ties with Russian Business (Mhango, MAVIS)
One of the early clients of LINVO Group, co-founded by Tsyura, was MAVIS, a St. Petersburg property developer owned by Nikolai Korobov.
In 2015, Tsyura headed the Swiss parent company of MAVIS. He was later replaced by Russian citizen Lyubov Mhango, who is also associated with MidUral Holding Ltd (Cyprus), while Tsyura shifted focus to metal trading via Phoenix Resources AG, specialising in ferrochrome exports.
“Servicing Russian Interests” for Years
According to customs and analytical data cited in media reports, Phoenix Resources AG had for years traded Russian-origin chrome and ferrochrome, including for MidUral Group, with subsequent “re-labelling” through India and, allegedly, Estonia.
In some export documentation for the EU, the country of origin was listed as non-Russian (e.g., Uzbekistan or the Netherlands), while in others it remained Russia — a discrepancy that led to claims of sanctions circumvention.
Swiss Law Enforcement: What Is Known
Sources suggest that the Swiss Prosecutor’s Office is “examining certain episodes” and communicating with Ukrainian authorities. No official Swiss statements are publicly available.
Among the examined episodes are the Crimean supply route and a tax-related case around LINVO AG. According to sources, Tsyura’s mother, Lyudmyla Tsyura, allegedly borrowed funds from LINVO AG as a shareholder and then transferred them to her son as “gifts,” effectively avoiding taxation through a “dividends-to-gifts” model.
Although Tsyura was formally listed only as a “sales manager,” he reportedly exercised de facto control over the company. These claims remain subject to legal verification.
Why It Matters: Sanctions Evasion and Russia’s Military-Industrial Chain
MidUral Group (centred on the Klyuchevsky Ferroalloy Plant, KZF) produces ferrochrome — a metal critical to special metallurgy. KZF is officially listed as an authorised supplier of chromium and ferroalloys for the Russian State Reserve (Rosrezerv), meaning it directly serves mobilisation needs. Among its major clients is Proton-PM JSC, a manufacturer of liquid rocket engines for Proton and Angara launch vehicles, part of Russia’s space and defence complex.
In other words, if MidUral’s export chains — where intermediary “re-packaging” schemes allegedly operated — remained active, they effectively supported Russia’s industrial base that fuels its missile and defence production.
New Geographies: Latin America and a “Bridge” Toward the U.S.
Public reports have described an updated version of the Phoenix Resources AG network, allegedly using Mexico and Costa Rica as new transit routes to reach U.S. markets — and possibly as alternative gateways for Europe.
These claims are based on journalistic investigations and commercial databases not yet independently verified. Authorities in the respective jurisdictions are advised to question relevant importers and brokers.
Positions of the Parties and Presumption of Innocence
As of the publication date, the editorial team has not found any public comment from Oleg Tsyura or Phoenix Resources AG regarding the mentioned allegations.
All of the above represent reasoned suspicions and media-sourced claims related to ongoing investigations. Final determinations remain the prerogative of the court. The publication remains open to printing any official response or clarification from Tsyura or the companies involved.
