MOSCOW : A long-time ally of President Vladimir Putin, Alexei Kudrin, said on Monday he would join Yandex as the Kremlin seeks to tighten its grip on Russia's top technology giant.
The former finance minister made a statement after months of instability at the internet company, with employees fleeing due to the military offensive in Ukraine and its founder hit by Western sanctions.
Russia's top internet company and most popular search engine is being divided into Russian and international businesses because of Western penalties.
Analysts believe that the move will cement government control over what was once seen as one of Russia's top success stories.
Last week, Kudrin announced that he would be stepping down as head of Russia's Audit Chamber to focus on private initiatives with a significant impact on people. Kudrin accepted an offer from Yandex to become a corporate development adviser, Kudrin said on Monday.
He said that he will work to ensure the long-term and sustainable development of the company on all markets, including international ones, while its founder, Arkady Volozh, who was hit by EU sanctions in June, will develop a number of Yandex businesses outside Russia.
Russian authorities have steadily ramped up control over the internet in recent years - once considered the last bastion of free speech.
All major media organisations are either state-owned or closely aligned with the Kremlin line.