Controversial Kazakh oligarch Kenes Rakishev is reportedly connected to an armored vehicle that has surfaced in the possession of Chechen forces participating in the invasion of Ukraine.

Valued at approximately $950 million, Rakishev played a role in establishing a factory in Kazakhstan, where Arlan Marauder (MRAP) vehicles are produced. Recently, one of these military vehicles was observed in Mariupol, Ukraine, under the control of Chechen troops aligned with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Due to Rakishev’s close ties with Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov, speculation has arisen that he may have played a role in supplying the armored vehicle to these forces. The Marauder was originally designed by South African defense firm Paramount Group, while the version present in Ukraine was assembled by Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering, a collaboration between Kazakhstan Engineering and Paramount Group.

Kenes Rakishev, who joined the board of Kazakhstan Engineering in 2014, is credited as the architect behind this joint venture and oversaw the construction of the Arlan armored vehicle factory in Kazakhstan.