Ilia Shumanov
Managing Partner. An expert in corporate investigations, sanctions risks and identifying hidden beneficial owners. Managing Partner at TriTrace Investigations and co-founder of Arctida.
Biography
Ilia Shumanov is Managing Partner at TriTrace Investigations. His work covers corporate investigations, sanctions risks, hidden asset ownership and supply-chain analysis.
He led Transparency International Russia from 2021 to 2025. Previously, he headed its Kaliningrad office from 2012 to 2016 and served as Deputy Director from 2016 to 2021. He has been a member of the organisation’s Board since May 2025.
He co-founded Arctida, a non-profit organisation conducting research and investigations into the Russian Arctic. His work examines infrastructure projects, sanctions policy and the development of the region.
In his Forbes column “Panama Flood: How the Offshore Scandal Will Affect the Financial System”, Ilia discusses the impact of the Panama Papers leak and transparency in offshore company ownership. The article was published in May 2016.
Redkollegia Award
In July 2022, Ilia Shumanov and Elizaveta Tsybulina received the Redkollegia Award for “Steal and Inflate”, an investigation into 41 billion roubles moved out of Russia through transactions involving plastic-bottle manufacturing equipment. They used open data and public registers to examine the customs-based scheme.
Selected research
Meow Meow: Inside Russia’s Mephedrone Teen Crisis
A BBC documentary tracing mephedrone precursor supply chains and teenagers’ involvement in the drug trade.
Steal and Inflate
An investigation into the movement of RUB 41 billion out of Russia through transactions involving plastic-bottle manufacturing equipment. Winner of the July 2022 Redkollegia award.
Inside Russia’s New Pro-Kremlin Vigilantes
A BBC Eye investigation into the funding, connections and activities of Russkaya Obshina.
Talks and interviews
In a comment published by The Insider on 27 August 2026, Ilia discussed the risk of business owners losing control of their assets under temporary state management. The outlet introduced him as Managing Partner at TriTrace Investigations.
On “The Rich Hide Too” with Tatyana Felgenhauer, Ilia discusses connections between officials, businesses and asset owners. The episode of 19 June 2026 examines Ilia Traber’s background; the episode of 17 April 2026 explores the Patrushev family’s business and personal connections.
In the 19 December 2025 episode of “The Rich Hide Too”, Ilia and Tatyana Felgenhauer discuss extraditions from the UAE and the country’s changing role as a financial centre.
In a written interview with Elena Panfilova for Novaya Gazeta, published on 9 December 2025 as “Blacklists, Collateral Damage, the Gas Elephant and Hope”, Ilia explains anti-money-laundering lists and their implications for companies and individuals.
In the BBC Russian Service podcast of 5 December 2025, “Russia on the EU’s Financial Blacklist: Who Will Be Affected?”, Ilia answers questions about the implications of the EU decision for businesses and Russians living in different countries.
Ilia spoke at a School of Civic Education seminar on “How Arctic Regions Are Resisting Disaster”. The recording was published on 29 December 2024.
TriTrace services
Initial Check
A focused review of a counterparty, person, or asset before a transaction, dispute, or deeper investigation.
Explore serviceTargeted Investigation
An investigation of one key hypothesis, asset, or route before a legal, investment, or management decision.
Explore serviceComplex Investigation
An investigation of a complex system of people, companies, assets, events, and influence for a legal, corporate, or cross-border decision.
Explore serviceContact
For interviews, expert commentary and collaboration enquiries, use the contacts in the TriTrace Investigations media kit.