The Russian Finance Ministry has not ruled out the possibility of selling Lesta Game Studio, known for its World of Tanks and World of Ships projects, as early as October this year. Deputy Finance Minister Alexey Moiseyev announced the news at the Moscow Financial Forum and noted the company’s high value, although he did not disclose the specific amount. Forbes previously reported that Nikita Mazepin, a former Formula 1 pilot and son of the founder of Ural, was in talks to acquire the company, with the assets themselves valued at around 50 billion rubles.
Lesta Studio historically grew out of Wargaming’s Russian division, managed by Malik Khatazhaev after the international publisher left the country. Later, as Khatazaev was found to be a participant in a banned association, the Prosecutor General’s Office confiscated the assets, and the developer’s buildings therefore became state property represented by the Federal Property Administration. Now, the authorities intend to transfer this valuable asset to private investors.