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sources close to the deal. The news come amid unconfirmed reports that Sberbank is about to pull out of the joint venture in Yandex.Market (Beru e-marketplace) and Yandex.Money (e-payment system), its last remaining assets in the​ ​bitter divorce​ from Russia's most valuable digital company Yandex. Now Sberbank reportedly seeks to reinforce its digital ecosystem with Ozon, buying into the company along with existing shareholders AFK Sistema and Baring Vostok fund, controlling about 40% each. Reportedly, an additional share issue is planned, as neither Sistema or Baring are willing to completely exit their positions. Sistema previously said that Ozon could be up for an IPO, and is systematically cashing in on stakes in its most successful assets, such as most recent SPO of Detsky Mir children's goods retailer. An additional share issue could come in handy for Ozon, that needs cash to expand. Both Sistema and Baring Vostok have been ​investing heavily in Ozon's development of logistic solutions​. The e-retailer plans to open at least five new fulfilment hubs in Russia’s regions and grow its last-mile logistics network at least threefold in 2020-2021. In 2019 the retailer's revenue growth was clipped by ​unresolved logistics and infrastructure issues​. Nevertheless, ​Ozon’s valuation improved in 2020​, and in addition Russian e-commerce majors are seeing a ​boost in sales amidst the spread of the coronavirus​ (COVID-19).
Russia's largest e-commerce major Wildberries plans to invest RUB2.5bn ($36mn) in 50,000 square meters logistics hub ​in the Udmurtia region, the company announced. The hub is planned to be built by 2021, will employ 2,500 people and will boost the company's logistic capabilities in the region. As reported by ​bne IntelliNews,​ ​Wildberries is the largest e-commerce company​ in Russia in terms of sales. ​Vedomosti d​ aily reminds that online retailers are actively buying and renting storage facilities accross the country. Previously Wildberries announced building another RUB6.5bn industrial park in the Krasnodar region with an area of 250,000 sqm. Other deals include 43,000 sqm facility by traditional retailer and largest e-grocer in Russia X5 Retail Group, and 67,000 and 29,000 sqm facilities rented by another e-commerce major Ozon.wd
The logistics arm of Alibaba Group will invest RUB1bn ($15mn) in the IT and logistics development in Russia, ​the company's representatives told Vedomosti d​ aily on June 23. As reported by ​bne IntelliNews,​ AliExpress and Tmall e-commerce platforms in Russia operate under the umbrella of AliExpress Russia, the joint venture​ of Alibaba, Mail.ru Group internet major, Megafon mobile major, and Russian Direct Investment Fund. The logistics arm of Alibaba Cainiao plans to localise its IT system used by vendors to manage deliveries and inventories in Russia. In China, the system allows to deliver the orders within 24 hours, while currently in Russia Tmall and AliExpress deliver in two to nine days. Number of sorting and stockage facilities also planned to be increased from two currently operated in Russia, Aliexpress told ​Vedomosti without providing more details. Aliexpress Russia's Tmall platform ​ranked 6th of all e-retailers in 2019 with RUB36bn sales​, soaring by 162%.
User data of several millions of user of Telegram messenger has been leaked to darknet​, ​Vedomosti a​ nd ​Kommersant d​ aily reported on June 24. As reported by ​bne IntelliNews,​ the messenger app of Russian tech whizz-kid Pavel Durov has ​just been unblocked in Russia after a two-year stand-off​ with the security services and legislators that demanded compliance with anti-terrorist laws and commitment to sharing encryption keys. Reportedly, the leak contains over 40mn entries, but Telegram press service claimed to Vedomosti t​ hat over 84% of the leaked information is outdated. Over 70% of
114​ RUSSIA Country Report​ July 2020 ​ ​www.intellinews.com