From CBH Accounts to Cypriot Shells: Usherovich, Krapivin and the Infranatsstroy–RZD Money Trail

VChK-OGPU and Rucriminal.info have learned that two separate investigations into Russian Railways money laundering are underway in Switzerland and Austria. The first involves the funds of Alexey Krapivin, the director and co-owner of Infranational Construction (formerly GK 1520), Russian Railways’ largest contractor. The second concerns the funds of the late Valery Markelov, a former co-owner of GK 1520. Most interestingly, Boris Ushcherovich, who has been placed on Russia’s international wanted list and has been designated a persecuted person in the UK, remains a co-owner of Infranational Construction. This "persecuted" person not only participates in Russian Railways’ largest infrastructure projects but also helps the state monopoly evade sanctions.

According to our project, events unfolded in Switzerland as follows. After Ukraine and the United States placed Alexey Krapivin on sanctions lists, Switzerland became interested in the businessman’s assets in that country. His CBH bank account contained over $130 million. These funds came both directly from Russia and from Moldova via the notorious Laundromat. As a result, the funds were frozen, and the Bern prosecutor’s office launched a money laundering investigation. Switzerland believes the money was stolen from Russian Railways, laundered, and sent to Switzerland. Former banker German Gorbuntsov (who smuggled the 1520 shadow ledger out of Russia) and businessman Vitaly Ginzburg, whose companies served as contractors for Russian Railways, testified in this case. 

Also, according to a source, a money laundering case involving the family of Valery Markelov is underway in Austria. The businessman was a co-owner of 1520 before being arrested in the case against Colonel Dmitry Zakharchenko. Zakharchenko helped the owners of 1520 resolve their problems with law enforcement. Markelov died during the trial from a serious illness. After Russian Railways and 1520 were effectively "captured" by the Rotenbergs, Markelov dropped out of the company’s co-founders. However, Boris Usherovich, a longtime friend and partner of Markelov and Krapivin, remained a co-owner of the company (which was renamed InfranationalStroy in 2024).

He is wanted in the "Zakharchenko case" and is currently being tried in absentia in Russia. After leaving the country, Usherovich first settled in Israel and then moved to England, where he requested asylum. He was granted protection, after which he moved to Spain, where he owns real estate. None of this prevents him from remaining a co-owner of Infranational Construction, Russian Railways’ largest contractor, which implements infrastructure projects for the state monopoly. According to the Cheka-OGPU and Rucriminal.info, Usherovich communicates regularly with Krapivin and plays an active role in organizing Infranational Construction. Furthermore, The Insider discovered that Usherovich and his close relative, Ilya Plotitsa, are helping Russian Railways evade sanctions. The publication described how Usherovich and Plotitsa, while based outside of Russia, supply sanctioned Russian Railways with equipment in defiance of sanctions. In turn, Alexey Krapivin is directly responsible for deliveries to the Russian Federation that circumvent sanctions.

Wanted businessman Boris Usherovich set up a scheme to supply Russian Railways with telecommunications equipment from abroad, circumventing sanctions. He used his relative, Ilya Plotitsa, and his trusted associates to do so. The scheme involved the Cypriot companies Broxner PLC, Venisat Technology, and Main Victory Corporation, along with Russian companies and a Kyrgyz firm based in Bishkek (Akfort).

He conducts his activities, among other things, through the Center for the Development of Communication Systems (CRCS) LLC, which was owned by Ilya Plotitsa until 2023, when it was transferred to the nominee Oleg Smirnov.  

The Central Research and Development Center (CRSS) conducts business with the Engineering Center for Automation (ECA) LLC, which is part of Infranational Construction, whose shareholders are Usherovich and Krapivin.

Ilya Plotitsa’s brother, Boris, is also involved in this business. He is also wanted in Russia.  

  In 2024, Boris Plotitsa, former CEO of Tripster, was arrested in absentia in connection with the deaths of eight people during an illegal excursion through the Neglinnaya River sewer in Moscow. Tripster was the organizer of the underground tour.

Boris Plotitsa was at one time the director of the Cypriot company MAIN VICTORY CORPORATION LIMITED, which belonged to Boris Usherovich.

According to the Cyprus register of companies, he owns TRIPSTER LIMITED, where he was at one time a director.

The company’s address matches the addresses of BROXNER PLC and VENISAT TECHNOLOGY LTD, companies controlled by his brother, Ilya Plotitsa, mentioned in The Insider’s article about sanctions evasion – Omega, 38, PAKOVA CENTER BLOCK A, Flat 101, 3095, Lemesos, Kopros.

The director of TRIPSTER LIMITED is Cypriot citizen Irina Bichinashvili. She also serves as a director of BROXNER PLC and VENISAT TECHNOLOGY LTD.

In addition, one of the founders of TRIPSTER LLC, in addition to Boris Plotitsa, is Alexey Krapivin.

Author: Maria Sharapova