Black list of the FSO and a fake Aurus: how Konstantin Mayor, owner of “Maer Group,” tried to get access to the SPIEF-2026 with help from Putin’s niece
Konstantin Mayor, owner of "Maier Group" (husband of Vera Podguzova, Vladimir Putin’s second cousin’s niece), was once again denied entry to SPIEF 2026 by the FSO, as he remains on the "blacklist."
At the forum, he was represented by his image, which was looped on the "Maier Group" stand all day. Meanwhile, the businessman threw all his efforts into breaking through to this high-status event—its success is crucial for his business, which is hurtling toward collapse.
After our project reported on Mayor’s inclusion in the FSO’s "blacklist" (due to arriving at SPIEF 2025 in an Aurus with a fake all-terrain pass and an unauthorized flashing light), followed by a mass exodus of clients from "Maier Group," Konstantin Mayor did everything in his power to show that everything was fine. He prepared two massive "Maier Group" stands for SPIEF-2026 and mobilized every resource and connection to secure accreditation for the event. His main asset, of course, is his wife, Vera Podguzova—Putin’s niece. Podguzova herself received accreditation and took part in SPIEF sessions and discussions; the "Maier Group" stands also got the "green light." But they categorically refused to accredit Konstantin Mayor. A source says the ban on his entry to any FSO-guarded events comes directly from FSO head Dmitry Kochnev, and only Putin can lift it.
As a result, the "Maier Group" stands continuously looped an image of their owner, Konstantin Mayor, while he himself, in St. Petersburg, went to great lengths to create the illusion of his active participation in SPIEF: joining runs, planting trees with his acquaintance, Roscongress head Alexander Stuglev (who, by the way, was also roped into the "special operation" to sneak Mayor into SPIEF), and so on. The only thing Mayor managed to pull off was getting into Sber’s breakfast, but it took place outside the SPIEF venue and wasn’t guarded by the FSO.
In the end, Mayor’s hyperactivity only made things worse for him. All his remaining high-status associates and clients were once again convinced he was on the "blacklist" and unanimously decided to steer clear of the toxic "subject" and his operations.
Recall, ahead of SPIEF 2025, the FSO was thrown into a panic by the appearance in St. Petersburg of a motorcade: an Aurus with special signals, an all-terrain pass, and escort vehicles with security. Yet this car wasn’t on the list of "chosen" ones entitled to such privileges. The special service smelled trouble and stopped the vehicle, in which Mayor was riding with his driver. The latter presented an FSB veteran ID and permits for the pass and special signals. But they all turned out to be "fake." The driver took the full blame, but the FSO added Mayor himself to the blacklists anyway, barring him from any events guarded by the agency. Soon after, clients began fleeing "Maier Group" one by one, starting with those involving state participation.
