A chaotic scene unfolded at the Wildberries headquarters in Moscow on Wednesday, as a violent conflict broke out resulting in multiple injuries and arrests. Among those wounded were prominent mixed martial artists and a heavyweight boxing champion, highlighting the intensity of the altercation.

According to reports from Mash and Agentstvo Media, the injured individuals include Abubakar Mestoev and Umar Chichaev, who are both renowned MMA fighters, and Rashid Kodzev, a heavyweight boxing champion. It is believed that they were accompanying Vladislav Bakalchuk, the owner of Wildberries, during the incident. Chichaev, in particular, is a member of the Akhmat Fight Club, founded by Chechnya Governor Ramzan Kadyrov.

Mash indicated that at least 10 people involved in the conflict were taken into custody, with some resisting arrest. However, the news agency Interfax reported that up to 30 individuals were arrested. The authorities quickly deployed a large number of police officers to the scene, leading to the closure of the surrounding street where the Wildberries headquarters is located.

In a separate incident on the same day, armed individuals wearing medical masks reportedly appeared at the Wildberries office in Iskra Park, another business park in Moscow. Employees at this location claimed that they were instructed by their managers to evacuate the premises.

The circumstances leading to the clash at the Wildberries main office remain disputed. Vladislav Bakalchuk stated that he had gone there with his colleagues for negotiations concerning the suspension of warehouse construction. However, Tatyana Bakalchuk, the co-founder and estranged wife of Vladislav, described the incident as a failed hostile takeover by a group led by Vladislav Bakalchuk. She confirmed that three people were injured during the altercation.

In a statement on Telegram, Tatyana Bakalchuk called the idea of armed negotiations absurd and urged law enforcement to intervene and restore order. Meanwhile, Vladislav Bakalchuk accused the leadership of RVB (the merged entity of Wildberries and Russ Group) of spreading lies and manipulating facts. He claimed that the first shots came from inside the Wildberries office, which he viewed as an assassination attempt.

In response to the incident, Wildberries' press service alleged that the armed individuals accompanying Bakalchuk initiated the gunfire. The company confirmed attempted illegal entry at two of its offices but emphasized that the incident had not disrupted its operations or business processes. Wildberries clarified that Bakalchuk no longer has access to the office, as he is no longer an employee, only retaining the right to request documents as the owner.

The clash at the Wildberries headquarters occurred against the backdrop of the acrimonious divorce between the Bakalchuks and the recent merger of Wildberries with outdoor advertising operator Russ Group. Reports suggest that the merger was approved by the Russian government cabinet and overseen by Kremlin deputy chief of staff Maxim Oreshkin, as confirmed in a letter obtained by Forbes, where President Vladimir Putin instructed Oreshkin to support the merger.

Sources provided Forbes with various theories regarding the conflict between the Bakalchuks. One theory suggests that Tatyana Bakalchuk had concerns about potential legal and regulatory issues following a fire at a Wildberries warehouse near St. Petersburg. Another theory centers on her relationship with Russ Outdoor's CEO, Robert Mirzoyan, as a motivation for merging with Russ Group.

The ongoing dispute between Wildberries and RVB took another turn, as Vedomosti reported that RVB plans to sue Bakalchuk's company, VB Development, for 27 billion rubles ($292.8 million) over the alleged non-fulfillment of contractual obligations related to warehouse construction.

As investigations into the violent clash continue, both sides present conflicting accounts of the events leading to the altercation at Wildberries' headquarters. The violence marks a dramatic turn for the popular online retailer, known for its success in the e-commerce industry, but now embroiled in a contentious battle for control and dominance.