The VERBA LEGAL team has successfully completed comprehensive legal support for Rostelecom’s acquisition of a stake in Basalt Free Software, one of Russia’s leading developers of system software based on the Linux kernel.

Throughout the transaction, VERBA LEGAL provided end-to-end legal support, including intellectual property practice input, which developed the necessary documentation and risk mitigation measures.

Rostelecom’s entry into the capital of Basalt Free Software — a developer of Linux-based system software — opens strategic opportunities for partnership with one of Russia’s foremost open-source developers, possessing its own infrastructure. This investment reduces dependence on foreign technologies, enhances IT infrastructure security, and aligns with national priorities in digital security and import substitution.

The transaction was led by Senior Partner Alexander Panov, with the project team including Counsel Alexey Darkov, Senior Associate Maria Moish, associates Marina Korneva, Petar Stoyanovich, and Anton Ivanov, and junior associates Alan Baspanov and Viktor Gorbachuk.