World of Tanks creators at Lesta Games and Wargaming were branded extremists by Moscow City Court in June 2025, with all company assets seized. The closed-door ruling followed allegations of supporting Ukraine, despite Lesta’s owner denying links and backing Russia.

Analysts claim Russia’s charges stem from Wargaming’s open support for Ukraine in 2023, while Lesta Games’ Malik Khatazhaev insisted he had “no connection” to Wargaming. Russia’s IT community protested the move, but authorities ignored appeals and the seizure stood firm.

After the April 2025 verdict, not only were all of Lesta Games' assets confiscated, but Russia’s largest IT associations’ direct appeal to President Putin was dismissed without response.