Russian Tax Service Seeks Bankruptcy for Tobol Timber Over Unpaid Taxes

On Thursday, The Moscow Times reported that Russia’s Federal Tax Service has filed a bankruptcy petition against Tobol Timber Company, the largest timber firm in Siberia’s Tyumen region, over unpaid taxes exceeding 14.6 million rubles (US$174,000).

The tax service asked a regional arbitration court to initiate proceedings after Tobol’s bank accounts were frozen on September 12, according to Ura.ru. Company owner and director Alexander Kiltau, listed as the sole beneficiary with a stake of 17.3 million rubles (US$207,000), has been named a party to the case.

Founded in 2018, Tobol Timber specializes in sawmilling and wood planning. Revenue fell 15.5% in 2024 to 123 million rubles (US$1.5 million), while losses narrowed to 72.9 million rubles (US$870,000) from 87.5 million (US$1 million) in 2023, Rusprofile data showed. The company has reported losses in six of the past seven years, with a profit only in 2021.

The firm also faces lawsuits worth about 20 million rubles (US$240,000), including a claim by the Tyumen regional forestry department over unpaid lease fees.

Judges will decide whether the tax service’s claim is valid at a hearing on October 27. Kiltau has blamed Tobol’s financial difficulties on EU sanctions and falling prices for Russian timber.

The case comes as Russia’s forestry sector faces mounting pressure. Last week, Alexei Mordashov’s Sveza group closed its plywood plant in Tyumen, laying off 323 workers. In July, the pulp and paper industry association warned of possible mass closures amid a collapse in exports to Europe and a stronger ruble.