We are with the Ukrainian people. Russia does not know the rules, that’s why we are in the Czech Republic, says Russia’s Russian partner
“We were in the initial stadium of cooperation with Yandex, but we ended this cooperation immediately after the start of the invasion of Ukraine. Although we do not associate the responsibility of individual citizens of the Russian Federation with the current one, we do not consider it possible and moral to cooperate with companies originating in Russia in any way, “confirmed Šimon Rákosník, managing partner of Rubikon PR.
CzechInvest is leaving Moscow
Astrum LT, which according to information from the E15 daily, is preparing semiconductor production in Kralupy nad Vltavou, can expect a problematic development. Astrum is formally a Lithuanian company, but the sole owner is the Russian company Melsytech, which develops medical facilities.
Astrum has provided support to CzechInvest and is to receive public support in the amount of twenty-five percent as part of an investment of less than seven million crowns.
CzechInvest has announced that it is canceling its branch in Moscow and its activities in this area. “As for possible foreign investments from the Russian Federation in the Czech Republic, it will depend very much on the sanctions adopted. I can’t estimate it at the moment, however, the service to Russian investors in Moscow will no longer be provided by CzechInvest, “said Patrik Reichl, CEO of CzechInvest. Astrum CEO Sergei Tsarev did not respond to questions.
The situation comes from the Russian company JetBrains, which continues with popular tools for programmers. JetBrains are, among other things, partners of Google and are officially based in the Czech Republic. In 2020, the company earned 8.9 billion crowns with a profit of 3.9 billion. She paid 926 crowns in taxes in the Czech Republic for the year and is thus one of the largest payers in our country.
“We are suing the attacks we are harassing. Our hearts are with the Ukrainian people, including our colleagues and their families, ”said JetBrains, who have a large development center in St. Petersburg in addition to its headquarters in Prague.
What’s happening in Ukraine?
JetBrains has long been reserved about its country of origin. “There are no clear rules in Russia. A safer environment was sought for the company’s headquarters. Prague was then and still is today, “described CEO Maxim Shafirov to the E15 daily in response to the question why the company anchored in the Czech Republic. He added that JetBrains in Russia is trying to work with good engineers, but prefers to hold assets in the Czech Republic.
Russia’s actions in Ukraine are likely to have repercussions on the cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab. Its founder and director Eugene Kaspersky has long been suspected of having relations with the Russian secret service FSB as other Russian state forces. Some European countries have banned Kaspersky antivirus companies from running in public administration.
When an E15 reporter pointed out a possible connection a few years ago, Kaspersky Lab received a negative and irritating reaction, as did phone calls from Moscow and the Russian embassy in the Czech Republic. The company does not comment on the current situation.
“Russia can expect an outflow of smart people”
Russian technologists often defend themselves against the Russian government, or try to skate in the set boundaries. The founder of the services Vkontakte, which is the Russian period of Facebook, and Telegram Pavel Durov left the country. A number of Russian engineers can be found in Silicon Valley, Israel and the technological parts of the world.
“I am getting information from my Russian acquaintances and it seems that Russia is now facing a massive outflow of smart and working people of working age,” said List owner Ivo Lukačovič, who has long-standing contacts in Russia, including Yandex.
At the same time, the Czechia may put pressure on Russian technology companies not only. “In the context of sanctions, Sections 53 and 54 of the Act on the Registration of Beneficial Owners may be used. The company, which has a real owner from Russia, may have the suspended shareholder’s right to vote at the general meeting, ie to distribute the profit, due to sanctions, “said Senator and former Deputy Minister of Finance Lukáš Wagenknecht.