Gazprom Media denies reports it is seeking to acquire MegaFon

MOSCOW. Feb 9 (Interfax) - Gazprom-Media Holding has denied reports that have appeared in the media suggesting that the company plans to buy telecoms operator Megafon .

"Information suggesting that Gazprom-Media Holding is preparing to buy Megafon is not true," the media holding's press service told Interfax.

Earlier on Thursday, the online publication The Bell (recognized as a foreign agent) reported, citing its sources, that Gazprom-Media Holding was contemplating buying Megafon.

In late January, the newspaper Kommersant, citing sources, reported that Rostelecom was interested in buying Megafon and requested government clearance for the deal in late 2022.

Megafon is currently owned by entities of Alisher Usmanov's USM holding: 50% by UESM Telecom LLC and another 50% by AF Telecom Holding LLC. In late 2021, USM already exited another large technological asset - VK . At that time, the buyers were Gazprom-Media and Sogaz Group .