Baring Vostok has emerged as a possible buyer of MTG’s Viasat assets in developing markets, including Russia.
However, in the case of Russia, reports Vedomosti, it would only acquire part of the business in order to comply with upcoming foreign ownership restrictions, with the remainder being held by a Russian citizen associated with the fund.
Vedomosti quotes unnamed sources at MTG and Baring Vostok confirming that a deal had been agreed and would soon be signed. Neither disclosed a figure.
Baring Vostok specialises in direct investments in Russia and has raised capital of $3.7 billion. Its investments already include Yandex, Ivi.ru and CTC Media.
As previously reported in Broadband TV News, Leonard Blavatnik agreed in principle in August to buy a controlling stake in the Viasat business in Russia. However, the deal subsequently fell through.