# Timur Turlov’s FIDE presidency sparks political scandal in Ukraine

https://mins.news/en/item/109968

- Meduza, 2026-10-21 18:34 UTC
- Sports
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/10/21/russian-born-kazakhstani-billionaire-timur-turlov-is-the-new-president-of-world-chess-his-election-has-divided-ukrainian-officials-and-russia-has-abruptly-dropped-its-case-against-him

> Kazakhstani businessman Timur Turlov’s election as head of FIDE drew criticism from Ukraine’s national chess federation because he had lived and done business in Russia for years. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of President Zelensky’s office, unexpectedly backed him. A week later, Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office withdrew its lawsuit seeking to seize Turlov’s income for the state.