Who is Alexander Kolos?
Alexander Valeryivich Kolos (Александр Валерьевич Колос) describes himself as a “Christian, Public Figure, and Entrepreneur.” Kolos is the founder of multiple companies and organizations, such as A7 LLC, a Moscow based company selling alarm systems and the Kolos charitable foundation, located in St. Petersburg. Kolos also owns the FAYPAS fund, a non-profit organization that provides support to youth.
Portrait of Kolos
Alexander Kolos and Wagner Group
Alexander Kolos is a resident of the PMC Wagner Center in St. Petersburg, according to a message posted on the center’s Telegram chat on February 1.
Residents of the center, which opened in November 2022, include a range of professionals and companies working in fields such as IT, media and engineering. Kolos spearheaded the launch of a drone training program at the center. The center states that Kolos aims to attract drone operators and promote the development of esports in Russia. Videos and photographs from the launch show individuals playing video games, operating drones with FPV headsets, and training with drone simulators. It appears that the program is specifically targeted towards young people, as suggested by the presence of Alexander Tronin and other members of the “Leader” youth group, which is commonly referred to as the “Wagneryok” group.
Kolos (center) and Tronin (third from right) at the event
Kolos at the event
Kolos in Ukraine
The Kolos Charitable Foundation has provided aid to civilians as well as Russian military forces fighting in Ukraine. On March 11, the foundation posted a video on its Vkontakte page, where soldiers of the 3rd battalion of the 234th VDV airborne regiment thanked Kolos and his foundation for donating an anti-drone gun. The foundation also donated grappling hooks and medical supplies to Russian troops. The foundation opened a branch in the Donbass in October 2022.
Russian soldiers thanking Kolos, taken from the foundation’s VKontakte page
Kolos himself has also personally made trips to Ukraine. In October 2022, Kolos posted an image of himself next to a damaged building, which can be geolocated to a location next to the Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theatre in Mariupol.
Kolos in Mariupol (47.095871, 37.547587)