Steven Seagal Withdraws from Final Russian Business Endeavors

Hollywood actor Steven Seagal has severed his links with one of his last business undertakings in Russia, as reported by the business newspaper Kommersant on Tuesday.

Seagal, 73, who received Russian citizenship in 2016, stepped down as CEO of Five Elements LLC on July 17, according to a corporate registry referenced by Kommersant. This holding company, established in 2023, was equally owned by Seagal and his son, Dominic Seagal.

The company’s control has now been handed over to Vladislav Kazak, a member of the board at the construction company Vodstroy JSC.

Kommersant highlighted that Seagal has already divested from most of his other Russian enterprises, including Russian Fairs LLC, Steven Seagal Group LLC, and Gorki Investment Company LLC.

Nevertheless, he still retains a 26% ownership interest in Gorki Holding Company LLC, which intends to create an International Center for Eastern Martial Arts.

Legal experts, as mentioned by Kommersant, noted that U.S. citizens are currently prohibited from making new investments in Russia due to existing sanctions, which can lead to serious penalties for breaches.

Seagal has been a vocal advocate for President Vladimir Putin and was awarded the Order of Friendship in 2023 in recognition of his efforts to enhance relations between Russia and the United States.

In 2022, Seagal faced criticism after visiting a prison in occupied eastern Ukraine where at least 50 Ukrainian prisoners of war lost their lives. This visit was part of a planned documentary project and received considerable praise from pro-Kremlin figures.