Ex-VSUES rector's sports complex may be used for veteran rehab

The former Champion sports complex, which belonged to ex-rector of Vladivostok State University of Economics and Service (VSUES) Gennady Lazarev, may be repurposed as a sports rehabilitation center for veterans of the special military operation (SVO). This was announced by Primorsky Krai Governor Oleg Kozhemyako during the program «Pryamoy Razgovor» (Direct Conversation) (6+).

Gennady Lazarev was taken into custody on March 22, 2024. At that time, the court supported the prosecution«s position, agreeing with the investigation»s arguments that he could have been the organizer of a criminal community, created, according to law enforcement, around 1996. Along with the ex-rector, ten people were arrested, including his son Innokenty and former Primorsky Krai prosecutor Valery Vasilenko.

Allegedly, as part of the organized criminal group (OPS), Lazarev and his accomplices were engaged in embezzlement of property and funds, including shares of AO «Vostochnaya Verf» (Eastern Shipyard). He faces up to 20 years of imprisonment, but currently, he is under house arrest due to health issues.

One of the first topics for discussion in the live broadcast was measures to support participants of the special military operation. Without specifics, the governor said that for their recovery, they plan to allocate a large sports complex on Chapayev Street—precisely where the «Champion» is located, which is now called «School of Sports».

«On Chapayev, we have a large sports complex that we plan to fully dedicate to the rehabilitation of SVO veterans. I think the situation with the paperwork will be resolved within several months; work with documents is required there. There is everything for physical education and sports, so we will welcome the veterans and do everything possible so that the guys undergo both medical and sports rehabilitation with dignity,» said Kozhemyako.

Interestingly, on September 10, 2025, Lazarev initiated bankruptcy proceedings, and on January 24, the Prosecutor General«s Office demanded that over 2 billion rubles (approximately $20 million at current rates) be recovered from him. It is possible that the sports complex will also go to the state as part of the case.

We have prepared a detailed report on the case of ex-rector of VSUES Gennady Lazarev, where you can find more information on this topic.