Valeriy Kustov, founder and main shareholder of Efko Group, one of Russia's leading food holdings, was detained and arrested in Moscow. Kustov was charged with especially aggravated fraud. The company's general director Evgeniy Lyaşenko was also detained in the same operation, and according to RBC, a detention order was issued for Kustov until September 29.
One day before this development, on July 29, Efko's deputy director for development Yekaterina Kustova and the group's strategic development director Vladislav Romantsev were arrested as part of the same investigation. Alla Polovçenya, deputy head of the Department of Unmanned Systems and Robotics at Russia's Ministry of Industry and Trade, was also sent to prison on suspicion of 'especially aggravated embezzlement'.
Investigation linked to defense industry project
According to RBC sources, the investigation is linked to the unmanned aerial vehicle systems project called 'Transport of the Future'. As part of this case, in early May 2026, Yuriy Kozarenko, former general director of the 'Transport of the Future' company and former advisor to the governor of Samara Region, was arrested. According to Kommersant newspaper, Kozarenko's testimony led to the arrest of other suspects.
Founded in 2021 as a project of Efko Group board members, 'Transport of the Future' develops agricultural and delivery drones. The company separated from Efko Group in 2023 and, according to Kozarenko's testimony, has since continued its operations with private investments and borrowing.
Criticism of C-80 drones used on the front
According to RIA Novosti's June 2025 report and an NTV channel interview, the company's C-80 ('Product 80') agricultural drone is actively used on the front. However, Z-bloggers frequently criticize the drone for not working in combat conditions. Vladimir Romanov, author of the Telegram channel 'Romanov Light', said: "To fly in a combat environment, their internal components, boards, and control systems need to be completely replaced. There are also battery problems. That's why most of them are kept in storage in units."
The company, which opened its second factory in Tolyatti in December 2023, had announced that together with the first facility in the Belgorod region, it could produce 100 drones per month with an investment of 7 billion rubles, and would increase this number to 250 over time. In June 2026, Defense Minister Andrey Belousov targeted the C-80 during a meeting with soldiers in the presence of Vladimir Putin. Belousov expressed dissatisfaction, saying: "Last year there was almost only one type: that famous 'Product 80'. It wasn't very high quality, now it's being improved."
Kustov's wealth and Efko's growth
Valeriy Kustov founded Efko in 1994 with his partners. Today, the company, which includes brands such as 'Sloboda', Altero, DeOlio, and Fresh, is one of Russia's largest food producers. In 2025, Efko acquired assets belonging to the American agricultural giant Bunge, adding the 'Oleyna' and Ideal brands to its portfolio. According to Forbes' 2026 ranking, Kustov's personal wealth is estimated at $1.1 billion, and he ranks 144th on the list of Russian billionaires.
