A new company has emerged in Russia, linked to Nintendo’s local office and tasked with officially supplying the Japanese publisher’s games within the country. Kommersant reports this development centers on Acivka LLC. The new entity is positioned to coordinate imports and distribution of Nintendo products as the market adapts to recent changes in the regional gaming landscape.
Reportedly, the CEO and co-owner of Acivka is Yasha Haddazhi, who leads Nintendo’s Russia division. The company has already begun organizing declarations and logistics for bringing Nintendo products into the country, signaling a renewed focus on the Russian market under a different corporate banner.
Nintendo’s operations in Russia paused following the start of the military operation, and the Japanese company did not publicly disclose its plans for selling the enterprise. Kommersant notes that 80% of Acivka’s authorized capital is held by Haddazhi, with Maria Sluginova and Ksenia Kachalova owning 10% collectively. Kachalova is identified as Nintendo Corporate Events Manager in Russia, underscoring a direct connection to Nintendo’s local business affairs.
According to the publication, a declaration to import various models of the Nintendo Switch console was filed at Acivka’s request on March 30, with the declarant stating authorization from Nintendo of Japan. This move appears to formalize a path for Nintendo products to re-enter the Russian market under a new corporate arrangement, avoiding public ambiguity while clarifying regulatory pathways.
Industry analyst Anton Fomin, who works with Marvel Distribution, believes Achivka’s presence hinges on authorization from Nintendo’s headquarters. He suggests that Acivka’s appearance could mark a potential resumption of Nintendo’s business activities in Russia, contingent on approvals and the broader geopolitical context. The analyst emphasizes that corporate confirmations from the parent company often accompany any steps toward market re-engagement in sensitive regions.
In related context, notable figures in gaming culture have observed the evolving landscape. A former blogger, widely recognized as The Completionist, previously owned and cataloged a large collection of Wii U and 3DS titles, highlighting a shift in how digital and physical catalogues are managed amid corporate realignments and regional policy changes. These past actions illustrate the broader dynamics of market access, consumer interest, and archival preservation as the Russian market navigates new import channels and licensing arrangements.