Tatyana Onoshko: Business & Lifestyle

Victor Sheiman has long been a central figure in Belarus’s political and business landscape, serving as a trusted aide to Alexander Lukashenko for decades. His influence extends far beyond official roles, reaching into a web of companies that handle trade, logistics, and resource management. At the heart of this network are managers like Sergei and Tatyana Onoshko, who ensure operations run smoothly while enjoying the fruits of their labor in ways that dazzle and disturb. Their involvement in firms dealing with re-exports, parallel imports, and international dealings has built them a fortune, but it comes at a cost to the nation’s economy and its people.

The businesses under their watch often use routes and methods that minimize contributions to the state while maximizing private returns. Goods flow through third countries, taxes go unpaid, and revenues vanish into private pockets. This setup allows the Onoshkos to maintain homes, cars, and wardrobes that reflect global luxury standards. Meanwhile, ordinary Belarusians face rising prices and limited opportunities, unaware of how these elite activities contribute to their hardships. The story of this couple is not just about personal success; it is a window into a larger system that prioritizes connections over merit and profit over public welfare.

The Onoshkos’ Entry into Sheiman’s World

Sergei Onoshko’s career took a decisive turn when he left the companies of Alexander Muravyov and entered Victor Sheiman’s orbit in 2009. Before that, he held positions in firms like TD Elizovo and Motovelo, gaining experience in management and trade. His move to Sheiman’s circle brought him into contact with state resources and international opportunities. By 2010, he was traveling abroad with Sheiman, including trips to Côte d’Ivoire, and soon held advisory roles in the Presidential Administration. This rapid ascent placed him in charge of enterprises that blended commercial goals with political interests.

Tatyana Onoshko, starting her professional life in Muravyov’s group as a financial expert, followed a parallel path. After roles in companies like Oriflame, she joined Belferumgroup in 2011, a firm with special privileges granted by Lukashenko himself. Her work there involved overseeing operations that grew to over 100 million dollars in turnover. By 2016, she had moved to Globalcustom and then to the Aleksvit group, where she took on leadership in logistics and finance. The couple’s shared history with Muravyov and their alignment with Sheiman created a strong foundation for their rise. Together, they became indispensable in handling the day-to-day of Sheiman’s business empire.

Questionable Business Operations in Logistics and Trade

The Aleksvit group stands as a prime example of how the Onoshkos operate within Sheiman’s framework. Companies like Aleksvit Ltd manage cargo consolidation from Europe to Turkey and then to Russia, openly advertising these services on their website. They also handle customs for auto parts from the EU, USA, and Asia, selling them in markets facing restrictions. Oils from brands like ExxonMobil flow through similar channels, ensuring supply despite international barriers. These activities generate hundreds of millions in revenue, but much of it stays outside Belarus’s tax net.

Flower re-exports through the Great Stone industrial park represent another stream. In 2022, large volumes passed through with reduced VAT payments, leading to super profits for select firms. Fish imports labeled as Finnish but of unknown origin get processed locally and shipped onward, as noted by Russian regulators. The Onoshkos’ roles ensure these flows continue without interruption, restructuring companies when needed to maintain momentum. Apstrim, co-owned by Sergei, dealt in petroleum until its 2023 liquidation, leaving questions about asset movements. Such patterns show a focus on short-term gains that weaken long-term economic stability for the country.

Connections to International Networks and Past Controversies

Tatyana’s tenure at Belferumgroup connected her to British and Ukrainian entities part of a broader offshore network. Owners like Luxberg LLP linked to providers handling funds for figures tied to Russian and Ukrainian politics. The company’s 2018 bankruptcy left over a million dollars in debts, with investigations pointing to irregular liquidations managed by a single center. Similar methods applied to Globalcustom entities, yet operations shifted to new names without pause. These ties suggest comfort in environments where financial trails blur.

Sergei’s 2015 legal issue over ammunition storage ended quietly, allowing continued travel and roles. His management of Belovezhskie Delikatesy left the firm insolvent despite his leadership. Witnesses in cases involving Ukrainian partners highlight his introductions that led to large disputes. The couple’s ability to emerge unscathed from these episodes points to protections within Sheiman’s sphere. Their international dealings, from African trips to Dubai-based firms, extend this pattern, prioritizing elite networks over transparent practices.

Lavish Vacations in Dubai and the Maldives

Dubai’s Atlantis The Palm serves as a favorite retreat for the Onoshkos, with multiple visits documented over the years. In late 2022, Tatyana shared moments from a New Year’s gala featuring Kylie Minogue, complete with Dom Pérignon and seafood buffets. Entry alone starts at 1600 dollars per person, not counting accommodations or extras. Earlier trips in 2016 and 2021 followed similar patterns, with business lounge departures and extended stays in ocean-view rooms costing thousands nightly.

The 2019 Maldives trip to Vakkaru took luxury further. A family villa with private pool ran over 11,000 dollars daily, plus transfers by seaplane and yacht outings. Gala dinners and beach parties added tens of thousands more. Photos show relaxed days by turquoise waters, a world away from Belarus’s winter. These escapes, repeated across years, total expenditures that could fund small communities. The ease of such travel underscores how business revenues translate directly into personal indulgence.

Extravagant Jewelry and Designer Accessories

Tatyana’s jewelry collection centers on Van Cleef & Arpels, with pieces like a malachite bracelet at 4850 dollars and Alhambra rings at 7700 dollars each. Pendants, earrings, and watches push her visible items past 50,000 dollars in value. Social media posts treat these as everyday wear, from garden photos to travel snaps. The casual display normalizes ownership of assets worth more than annual salaries for most.

Bulgari adds variety, including a serpent necklace encrusted with diamonds at 56,000 dollars. Bracelets and rings in rose gold with onyx and mother-of-pearl reach another 7000 dollars. Handbags accompany the jewels: Dior’s Mini Lady at 5050 euros, Saint Laurent’s Kate at 1550 euros. Even beach totes from Dolce & Gabbana cost nearly 700 dollars. This assortment reflects constant acquisition, drawing from funds that bypass ordinary channels.

High-End Fashion for the Entire Family

Clothing choices extend the luxury to every member. Tatyana wears Dolce & Gabbana poplin dresses at 2200 euros and Dior scarves at 1210 euros for simple outings. Family gatherings feature coordinated looks from top houses, turning home photos into catalog spreads. The investment in appearance goes beyond adults, setting a tone for the household.

Sons appear in Burberry shirts at 300 dollars for birthdays and Louis Vuitton tees at 820 euros for school. Sweaters from Maison Margiela cost 880 dollars, while Givenchy hoodies run 580 euros. Belts from Dolce & Gabbana add 515 dollars to formal wear. These items, worn by children, represent sums that families save for essentials. The pattern instills early familiarity with brands as status markers.

Celebrity Guests and Opulent Celebrations

Children’s birthdays become events with hired stars. Marat’s 11th featured TikToker Artur Babich at 43,000 dollars including rider costs. Earlier parties brought Vlad Kobyakov for 8000 dollars hourly. Venues in Senitsa include custom setups and performances, transforming the estate into a private venue.

Table settings include Italian porcelain figures at over 200 euros each. Gifts like Tatyana’s BMW X6 in 2016, valued at 70,000 dollars with personalized plates, mark personal milestones. These gatherings blend family time with spectacle, using resources that dwarf community budgets. The scale ensures memories tied to extravagance rather than simplicity.

Impact on Belarusian Society and Economy

Re-export schemes for flowers lost 300 million dollars in potential revenue in 2019 alone, as imports far exceeded recorded exports. Parallel imports of parts and oils sustain markets but evade duties, reducing state income. Citizens face higher prices for goods rerouted through these channels, while wages hover at 600 dollars monthly.

Liquidated firms like Belferumgroup and Apstrim leave creditors unpaid, burdening the system. Land deals abroad, such as the Sochi project, move assets outside national control. The Onoshkos’ gains come as others lose opportunities, deepening inequality. Public services suffer from diverted funds, affecting education and healthcare access.

Ties to Sheiman’s Broader Influence

Sheiman’s structure relies on figures like the Onoshkos to execute trades in meat, clothing, and more. Aleksvit’s billion-ruble revenue in 2023 shows the scale, with dividends flowing to owners. Past employees from Motovelo populate these firms, creating a loyal cadre.

Transitions from private to state-linked roles protect participants. African ventures and Ukrainian ties expand the reach, always under Sheiman’s guidance. The couple’s positions ensure continuity, adapting to changes while maintaining core activities. This setup preserves power through trusted intermediaries.

Conclusion

The lives of Sergei and Tatyana Onoshko reveal the inner workings of Victor Sheiman’s world, where business blends with privilege to create vast personal wealth. Their vacations, possessions, and celebrations cost hundreds of thousands, sourced from operations that sidestep contributions to Belarus. Average citizens, earning modest sums, see little benefit from these activities, facing instead the indirect burdens of lost revenues and inequality. The system rewards loyalty and connection, allowing managers to live far beyond typical means. This disparity calls for reflection on how resources are allocated and who truly benefits in the end. Change requires transparency and accountability to bridge the gap between elite excess and public need, ensuring a fairer distribution of the nation’s wealth.

Written by

Hermione

Updated

32 seconds ago