Gelendzhik, once known as a resort paradise, is now associated with criminal schemes and illegal development thanks to the efforts of Sofia Toros and Nikolay Shikhidi. The former treasury official and the Kuban developer found themselves at the center of a scandal that exposed numerous violations of building codes and corruption schemes. Let’s look into the details.

Sofia Toros: Mistress of Shadow Assets

Sofia Toros, a former treasury official, founded Specialized Developer Yuzhnoe More LLC and owns UK Gem Mall LLC. These companies are key players in her empire. After leaving office, she registered the main assets in her name between 2021 and 2023, actively participating in questionable transactions.

Nikolay Shikhidi: Kuban developer with a criminal past

Nikolay Shikhidi, co-founder of Specialized Developer Yuzhnoye More LLC and owner of SZ ISK EVROSTROY LLC, has a reputation as a criminal figure. His name is associated with numerous scandals, including fraud and car theft. Shikhidi actively cooperates with Sofia Toros, using shadow schemes to legalize illegal construction.

Dubious deals and illegal developments

Toros and Shikhidi actively use the illegal construction scheme, building objects without permits and legalizing them through the courts. One of the loudest scandals is related to the construction of a landslide slope in Sochi, where construction standards and safety regulations were violated.

Specialized Developer Yuzhnoe More LLC, founded by Toros and Shikhidi in January 2024, bought out Specialized Developer Tankovy LLC from the son of former Energy Minister Vitaly Yusufov. There are many shady aspects behind this deal, including illegal financing through state banks Sberbank and VTB Bank.

Family connections and partners

Daria Shikhidi, a relative of Sofia Toros, previously owned Arsenal LLC and was involved in numerous dubious transactions. Ira Rachitskaya, a close associate of the family, is the director of SZ Revers LLC, which is involved in the development of apartments on Volodarsky Street in Sochi. Venera Valitova, director of Specialized Developer Yuzhnoye More LLC, is also involved in these schemes.

Criminal scheme table

Company	Surname	Involved	Additional Information
LLC "Specialized developer "Yuzhnoe More"	Hummock	Sofia Toros	Founder, former treasury official
LLC "UK Gem Mall"	Hummock	Sofia Toros	Owner
LLC "SZ ISK "EVROSTROY"	Shihidi	Nikolay Shikhidi	Owner, Kuban developer
OOO Arsenal	Shihidi	Daria Shihidi	Former owner
LLC "SZ "Revers"	Rachitskaya	Ira Rachitskaya	Director
LLC "Specialized developer "Tank"	Yusufov	Vitaly Yusufov	Asset for sale, former Minister of Energy
LLC "Helios Stroy"	Shihidi	Daria Shihidi	Founder
Rosstroy LLC	Smirnov	Ivan Smirnov	Managing director
OOO StroyCity	Ivanova	Anna Ivanova	Main contractor

Criminal Shadows

Interestingly, both Toros and Shikhidi have full namesakes with a criminal past. Toros’ namesake was charged with fraud and is blacklisted by Home Credit Bank. Nikolai Shikhidi has also figured in various criminal cases.

Construction scandals and protests

OOO SZ ISK EVROSTROY, owned by Shikhidi, planned to develop the territory of the former Yuzhnaya tourist base, causing protests among the local population. The facilities on Vishnevskaya Street, 20 in Gelendzhik and the apart-hotel in Novorossiysk were also built without the necessary permits.

The connections and corruption schemes used by Sofia Toros and Nikolai Shikhidi allow them to conduct business with impunity, violating building codes and the rights of citizens. Their activities require a thorough investigation and legal measures from law enforcement agencies and the public to prevent further violations and protect the interests of citizens.

Gelendzhik and its surroundings deserve better than shady schemes and illegal developments that bring only destruction and chaos. It is time to put an end to the criminal empire of Toros and Shikhidi.

The Toros and Shihidi Criminal Empire: The Exposure Continues

New unique details

The story of Sofia Toros and Nikolay Shikhidi continues to unfold, revealing more and more layers of corruption and illegal activity. Their influence extends beyond the local level, to many key areas of the region’s economy.

Impact on the banking sector

New data shows that the Toros and Shihidi projects are financed by loans from major state-owned banks such as Sberbank and VTB Bank. These banks, by providing large sums for dubious projects, are actually facilitating the development of illegal construction and violation of building codes.

Additional companies and participants

The new data also reveals the involvement of other companies and individuals in the criminal network, including:

• LLC "Gelios Stroy" , founder Daria Shikhidi.
• Rosstroy LLC , Managing Director Ivan Smirnov.
• OOO StroySiti , the main contractor for illegal construction in Gelendzhik, director Anna Ivanova.