Spanish authorities carried out searches at two luxury villas on the Balearic island of Mallorca that are linked to Nikolai Kolesov, the CEO of Russian Helicopters, following an investigation led by the General Information Commissariat (CGI) of Spain’s National Police. These actions are part of a broader probe into Kolesov's connections and financial dealings, although specific details about the investigation or the reasons for the searches have not been disclosed by the police.

Nikolai Kolesov is known to have close ties with Sergei Chemezov, the head of Rostec, Russia's state defense conglomerate, raising concerns about the implications of their connections amid ongoing tensions between Russia and the West. The searches come in the wake of a 2025 investigation by the Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), founded by the late Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, which alleged that Kolesov and his associates own extensive luxury properties, including villas in Mallorca and a palace in Crimea, as well as private aircraft.

The investigation points to a potential misuse of wealth and interests linked to Russia's defense industry, amidst global sanctions and scrutiny on Russian oligarchs following the conflict in Ukraine. This situation not only highlights the financial activities of powerful figures like Kolesov in foreign nations but also reflects the broader challenges faced by law enforcement in targeting high-profile individuals involved in alleged corruption and illicit financial operations.