When the Kremlin Stole Google’s Cash – What’s Being Done With It
In a move that feels like a plot from a spy thriller, Vladimir Putin is accused of lifting more than $100 million from Google’s Moscow bank account. The daring theft is part of Russia’s war financing scheme that allegedly funneled the money into sweetening the fight in Ukraine.
How the Loot Was Stolen
The scandal unfolded in 2022, just as the Russian invasion of Ukraine was kick‑started. Newly filed court documents in the United States reveal that Russian authorities “seized” the funds from Google’s local bank account, effectively draining the technology giant’s millions of dollars.
Impact on Google – A Quick Timeline
- 2022: Google’s account is seized – immediate cash outflow.
- Late 2022: The €50‑plus million hit pushes Google’s Moscow subsidiary toward bankruptcy.
- 2023: Facing mounting legal and financial pressure, Google pulls all operations out of Russia.
Thus, the once‑thriving local arm of the global firm went from lavishly hiring tech talent to a hollow shell of the company it once was.
Why This Is More Than Just a Theft
It shows that the Kremlin’s war fund isn’t just about oil and dollars – it’s also about draining foreign tech’s pockets. The thieves reportedly pocketed the cash and, according to the court filings, channeled it to support Ukraine’s forces.
Google’s forced exit from Russia is closing a chapter, but the story reminds us that the finances of war can come from some of the most unlikely sources. The saga continues to unfold, and we’re watching to see how it affects both tech giants and the geopolitical playbook.
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Google Takes Down Russian Propaganda Money Machine
Picture this: a mistrustful businessman from Red Square – you know, the guy who’s been threatening the nuclear button for years – is about to taste the wrath the Internet giant has been brewing. Google’s lawyers just intervened in a high‑stakes drama involving bank‑rolled state media, and the fallout might just change how we see the old Moscow beat.
What Went Down at the Bailiff’s Desk
- Google’s Russian subsidiary had its assets seized by Putin‑aligned bailiffs: over $100 million was confiscated.
- At the time the lawsuit was filed, the court noted that the owed judgment was only about $12.5 million (roughly 1 billion rubles).
- The seized money didn’t vanish into the void – trickily, it ended up as a sizeable lump‑sum for two major Russian state TV channels.
The Channel Players
- Tsargrad received one billion rubles – the channel’s managers confidently announced it would be used to “support Russia’s war in Ukraine.”
- Another key player, Russia Today (RT), also got a cheesy slice of the bootlegged cash. Both channels are notorious for their pro‑Kremlin propaganda.
Do we see this as a triumph, or just a slap in the face? That’s one of the debates the courts are keeping alive. Google filed lawsuits against both channels in UK and US courts, convincing legal jargons that the money was wrongfully taken.
Some Take‑aways
- If you’re on the world news radar, it’s a heads‑up that the Kremlin’s “pay” to its own media house might “finally get a hot‑dog of a vacation” from the tech giant.
- And if you’re a fortune‑seeker who wants to watch the bombastic TV state – who says you can’t keep an eye on the balance sheet?
While it may feel like a clean legal win for Google, we’re still looking to see if the charges will undraft further. For now, this is a test of the power that money, world view, and the law can exert on some of the most iron‑clad modern media vehicles.
