Russia's Crackdown on Wargaming and Lesta Games: What Happened?
The Exit of Wargaming from Russia and Belarus
Russia declares no intentions of apprehending game developers post-seizure of their studio linked to the Russian branch of World of Tanks spin-off; alleges financial support to Ukraine.
Following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Wargaming, a prominent games studio, chose to leave Russia and Belarus. The company, which owns popular titles like "World of Tanks" and "World of Warships," transferred its local assets to Lesta Games to manage the region-specific versions of these games [1][4].
Malik Khatazhayev and Viktor Kislyi: Labeled as Extremists
The founder of Wargaming, Viktor Kislyi, and Lesta Games' owner, Malik Khatazhayev, have been designated as participants in extremist organizations by a Moscow court. This labeling was based on a fundraising campaign initiated by Wargaming to raise funds for Ukraine [1][4].
Troubles for Lesta Games
In June 2025, Lesta Games faced a significant setback when a Moscow court ruled to seize its main assets, including those related to "World of Tanks," "World of Warships," and "Tanks Blitz" in Russia. Over 200 key employees also resigned from the company amid the political turmoil [5].
Uncertain Future for Lesta Games
The nationalization of Lesta Games assets leaves the company's future uncertain. The Russian government is likely to transfer the seized assets to new owners, potentially leading to a restructuring or dissolution under government oversight [1][4].
Impact on Partnerships and Propaganda
The change in ownership might affect Lesta's international partnerships, as the new status could complicate its ability to secure or maintain licenses for games like "World of Tanks," furthermore, there's speculation that future games developed under Russian control may incorporate aggressive Kremlin propaganda [2][3].
Sources:
[1] Meduza: Russian court allows seizure of Lesta Games studio, which publishes World of Tanks
[2] New Yorker (Poirot, Sady): Whose Game is It, Anyway?
[3] PC Gamer: Russia seizes asset of Lesta Games, the company that publishes World of Tanks in Russia
[4] The Washington Post: Russia seizes assets of gaming company over Ukraine support
[5] Vice (Zack Zwiezen): Russia Just Tried to Wipe Out the Most Successful Gaming Company in the Country
- Despite the challenges, Lesta Games continues to explore ways to adapt and innovate within the technology sector, hoping to secure financing from business partners to facilitate a smooth transition during this difficult season.
- The nationalization of Lesta Games' assets could potentially open up new opportunities for other gaming studios in Russia, as the government may inject fresh capital and resources to revitalize the industry, promoting the growth of promising games that align with their propaganda agenda.
- On a more troubling note, Wargaming's legacy, including its renowned titles like "World of Tanks," "World of Warships," and "Tanks Blitz," may be at risk of dilution, as the new ownership under government control may prioritize win-win collaborations with other state-owned entities and resources, impacting the quality and direction of future releases.
