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Alexander Lebedev

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Alexander Lebedev, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 11 August 2025
Alexander Lebedev
Born
Alexander Yevgenievich Lebedev

(1959-12-16) December 16, 1959 (age 66)
Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur, former intelligence officer, politician
Years active1982–present
Known forRussian oligarch, ownership of Novaya Gazeta, Evening Standard, The Independent; former KGB operative
Notable workHunt the Banker: The Confessions of a Russian Ex-Oligarch

Alexander Yevgenievich Lebedev (; born 16 December 1959) is a Russian entrepreneur and ex-KGB operative, frequently regarded among the Russian oligarchs. Prior to 1992, he was employed by the First Chief Directorate of the Soviet Union's KGB and subsequently by Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR).

In early 2008, Forbes placed him as the 39th wealthiest individual in Russia, estimating his net worth at US$3.1 billion; however, by October that year, his assets had declined to $300 million. By March 2012, Forbes assessed his fortune at US$1.1 billion, though he has since dropped below billionaire status. Lebedev holds partial ownership of the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta and, alongside his son Evgeny Lebedev, controls the UK publications Evening Standard and The Independent.

Following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Canadian authorities imposed sanctions on Lebedev. Reports also indicated he met with a high-ranking Russian official shortly before the conflict commenced.

Early life and education

Born in Moscow to parents belonging to the city's intelligentsia, Lebedev's father, Yevgeny Nikolaevich Lebedev, was a prominent Soviet water polo player who later became a professor at Bauman Moscow State Technical University. His mother, Maria Sergeyevna, graduated from Moscow Pedagogic Institute and worked as an educator in rural Sakhalin before moving to Moscow.

Lebedev began his studies in 1977 at the Department of Economics of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, graduating in 1982. He then pursued research at the Institute of Economics of the World Socialist System, completing a Kandidat dissertation focused on debt issues and globalization challenges.

Career in the intelligence services

Lebedev served in the First Chief Directorate (Foreign Intelligence) of the KGB. Between 1988 and 1990, he was assigned to the Soviet embassy in London, concentrating on economic matters alongside Andrey Kostin. He remained with the KGB’s successor agency, the Foreign Intelligence Service, until 1992.

An intelligence report from Italy suggested that Lebedev’s departure from the FSB might have been nominal, implying ongoing participation in KGB meetings. The report also indicated that he may have initiated business ventures during his tenure by utilizing funds obtained through his role as an agent.

Business career

Upon leaving Russian intelligence, Lebedev established the Russian Investment-Finance Company. In 1995, this company acquired the struggling National Reserve Bank, which quickly expanded to become one of Russia's largest financial institutions. The bank's portfolio included:

This bank served as the foundation for the National Reserve Corporation, which according to Lebedev’s website manages assets approximating US$2 billion. In 2006, Forbes estimated his net worth at US$3.5 billion; however, by 2013 he was no longer classified as a billionaire.

The National Reserve Corporation’s investments extended across various sectors including agriculture—specifically Russia’s largest potato producer—affordable housing development, mortgage finance, textiles, telecommunications, public transportation (such as trams and trolleybuses), power generation, chemical production, and tourism. Its tourism interests encompass an extensive hotel chain in Crimea and initiatives for a National Reserve Park overseeing tourist operations within Russia, Ukraine, and France.

Lebedev previously owned the Moskovski Korrespondent newspaper but ceased its publication reportedly after it featured an article alleging an affair between Vladimir Putin and Alina Kabayeva.

On 21 January 2009, Lebedev and his Evening Press Corporation acquired approximately 75.1% ownership of the Evening Standard for £1; Daily Mail and General Trust retained a 24.9% stake. Lebedev committed to maintaining editorial independence and reflected on using the paper for intelligence purposes during his London assignment.

In 2009, negotiations were underway for Lebedev to purchase British national newspapers The Independent and Independent on Sunday. Prior to finalizing the deal, his team proposed Rod Liddle for editor-in-chief; however, opposition from staff and readers led to withdrawal of this offer. On 25 March 2010, Lebedev completed acquisition of both titles for £1.

By 2012, National Reserve Bank encountered difficulties: corporate deposits declined by 2.2 billion rubles while retail deposits dropped by 1.2 billion rubles; by January that year, one-fifth of liabilities had been withdrawn. Two senior executives resigned in March. On 5 November 2012, Lebedev announced plans to close all regional branches, liquidate real estate holdings, and divest approximately 75% of its loan portfolio valued at 16.8 billion rubles (US$542 million). He also revealed intentions to dispose of his Russian business interests.

In 2019, Lebedev invested in Emperium shipbuilding's project for electric passenger vessels; its inaugural Ekovolt catamaran debuted in Saint Petersburg in June 2020.

In 2021, he launched "Independent Decentralized Finance SmartBank & Ecosystem" (InDeFi SmartBank), a cryptocurrency platform emphasizing innovation within decentralized finance.

Legal

In September 2011, during a broadcast on Russian television, Lebedev struck billionaire real estate developer Sergei Polonsky, asserting that his actions were provoked by a threat from Polonsky. As a result, Lebedev faced charges of disorderly conduct and was sentenced to perform community service.

Political career

Lebedev pursued political office in 2003, contesting both the Moscow mayoralty and a seat in the State Duma. He secured 13% of the vote in the mayoral election but was defeated by Yuriy Luzhkov. However, he gained a position in the Duma through the Rodina party list. His tenure in the Duma lasted until 2007, during which he initially aligned with the pro-government United Russia faction before returning to Rodina following its integration into Fair Russia.

He held the role of Vice Chairman on the Duma committee overseeing the Commonwealth of Independent States, managed parliamentary relations with Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada, and led the State Duma’s Moscow-focused group.

Lebedev co-owned Novaya Gazeta, a leading newspaper known for its critical stance toward the Russian Government, alongside former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev.

He established and currently leads the National Investment Council, an apolitical body dedicated to enhancing Russia’s investment environment, safeguarding Russian business interests internationally, and addressing adverse perceptions of Russian companies.

In 2008, Lebedev and Gorbachev declared their intention to reengage in Russian politics through the formation of the Independent Democratic Party of Russia.

In 2009, Lebedev attempted to run for mayor of Sochi, host city of the 2014 Winter Olympics, but was disqualified due to violations related to campaign financing involving donations from minors—an action allegedly instigated by local authorities. Although his campaign refunded these contributions, the disqualification was upheld.

Lebedev openly endorsed the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea. In 2017, he organized a media forum at his hotel complex in Alushta aimed at challenging Western portrayals of Crimea.

Following the Salisbury poisoning incident in April 2018, Lebedev held a private meeting with UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson at his villa in Italy; this encounter occurred without security personnel or official documentation.

In 2019, he authored Hunt the Banker: The Confessions of a Russian Ex-Oligarch.

As late as 2020, The New York Times identified him as an oligarch when his son Evgeny received a nomination for a life peerage by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Charity

Lebedev has consistently supported cultural and charitable initiatives through his Charitable Reserve Fund (Благотворительный Резервный Фонд, BRF), which coordinates his philanthropic efforts. Key projects under this sponsorship include:

For his contributions, Lebedev was awarded the Saint Innokenty of Moscow Order by the Russian Orthodox Church and received UNESCO’s Dialogue of Cultures medal.

Sanctions

As a consequence of his involvement in spreading pro-Russian disinformation amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Canada imposed sanctions on Lebedev starting 8 July 2022.

Personal life

Lebedev's first marriage was to Natalia Sokolova, the daughter of the scientist Vladimir Sokolov; the couple has one child, Evgeny Lebedev, who has held a crossbench life peerage in the House of Lords since November 2020. Their relationship ended in 1998.

Since 2005, Lebedev has been partnered with former model Elena Perminova; reports differ regarding whether they are officially married. Together, they have four children.

Lebedev is known for organizing exclusive social gatherings attended by notable personalities including Mick Jagger, Eddie Izzard, Ian McKellen, Keira Knightley, Joan Collins, Ralph Fiennes, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

He possesses the Palazzo Terranova in Ronti as well as Castello di Santa Eurasia near Monte Tezio in Perugia. Both estates are available for rental and have accommodated a wide array of celebrities and political figures. Italian intelligence agencies have surveilled these properties due to concerns about potential espionage activities.

See also

External links

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