Yandex announced that the agreement to acquire VKontakte’s VK Zen and VK News (Novosti) has been finalized, according to a company press release. The closure marks a turning point in the corporate structure, as VKontakte transfers Zen and Novosti to Yandex in exchange for VK’s increasing stake in Delivery Club, which becomes part of Yandex’s broader food-tech portfolio.
With the completion of the deal, Delivery Club, which was previously owned by VKontakte, transitions into Yandex’s ecosystem. This strategic move consolidates food delivery under a single umbrella with Yandex Food, signaling a deeper alignment of services in the super-app style framework that both corporations pursue in the market. Users of Zen and Novosti can expect a gradual integration, beginning on September 12, with redesigned interfaces and cross-service features as the process unfolds.
The August 23 press briefing from VKontakte confirmed that binding documents had been signed, resulting in VK taking ownership of Novosti and Zen while Yandex acquires Delivery Club. The parties indicated that the deal would be finalized before year-end, subject to the completion of several regulatory steps and approvals. This timing underscores the careful navigation of antitrust and market-monitoring requirements that accompany large-scale corporate transfers in the region.
Industry observers have noted that the VK-Yandex partnership continues to evolve rather than pause. The asset redistribution is framed as a way for each company to sharpen its focus on core services and growth initiatives, enabling more targeted investment in areas where each firm has a competitive advantage. The arrangement appears designed to leverage VK’s social platform reach and Yandex’s logistics and tech infrastructure to deliver improved user experiences across social, news, and food delivery offerings.
Separately, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) approved the necessary procedural steps and issued instructions guiding the petition processes for VK and Yandex. The binding agreement, signed on August 22, represents a formal milestone in the regulatory review that precedes final settlement. While the regulatory clearance is a prerequisite for closing, it also signals the authorities’ ongoing assessment of competitive dynamics among key digital players in the region. The FAS approval is a critical checkpoint that helps move the transaction toward completion while ensuring compliance with market rules and consumer protection standards.
Analysts suggest that this multilateral consolidation could influence the competitive landscape by concentrating delivery logistics, social content distribution, and news distribution within a more integrated set of platforms. The strategic rationales cited by both VKontakte and Yandex emphasize improved service synergies, greater scale, and the potential to accelerate innovation across their respective product lines. As the integration progresses, users of the involved services will likely notice platform-wide adjustments, including streamlined account management, unified notification systems, and cross-service recommendations designed to enhance engagement and retention.
From a broader perspective, the deal illustrates how large tech and social media ecosystems in Russia and neighboring markets are evolving through asset reallocations that emphasize operational efficiency and user-centric experiences. The process underscores the importance of regulatory oversight in shaping how such integrations unfold and highlights the intent of both companies to prioritize growth trajectories aligned with consumer demand and competitive positioning in a rapidly changing digital space. Marked attestations from corporate spokespeople and regulatory bodies remain essential references for stakeholders monitoring the transaction’s progress and its implications for the region’s digital economy. [citation: corporate press releases and official statements]