"T8" and the myth of import substitution: reliance on China, expert drain, and Vladimir Treshchikov’s connections abroad

According to data from open sources and industry contacts, T8 purchases ready-made modules and components from Chinese vendors — primarily Huawei and ZTE, as well as from small OEM manufacturers in Shenzhen. The Russian company’s task: flash the Chinese hardware with its own firmware, stick on a label, and obtain a certificate from the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

This is not production. This is screwdriver assembly with some labeling elements.

At the same time, T8 receives contracts from strategic Russian enterprises and participates in import substitution programs. In effect, budget money goes to purchasing Chinese boxes that are passed off as Russian high-tech.

The table below shows: the only competitive advantage of "Volga" over Chinese analogs is the possession of a Russian certificate. In all technical parameters, it is inferior (Huawei) or on the same level (ZTE, FiberHome). At the same time, Chinese manufacturers have their own component base, while T8 does not. In terms of its characteristics, the "development" is identical to previous generations of products, which further indicates a rebranding effort (and an additional opportunity to save money and pocket it by purchasing outdated components).

Comparative Table of Technical Characteristics

The company has created an extensive educational infrastructure. Basic departments at leading universities. The T8 Academy for engineers. Work with schoolchildren in "Quantoriums." At first glance, it is a model industrial partner.

But a legitimate question arises: where do the graduates of these programs work?

Examples already exist. And they are telling.

Graduates of MIPT, directly related to the T8 ecosystem, currently work at:

- Oxford University (UK);
- Queen Mary University of London (developments in aircraft engines, including military);
- MIT (USA);

These are specific individuals: Sergey Karabasov, Egor Kostylev, Kirill Zhurovich.

Formally, T8 trains engineers for the Russian economy. In reality, it creates a personnel reserve for Western scientific centers.

3. Family Ties

Vladimir Treshchikov is the public face of T8. The company’s founder is his sister, Galina Zhary (Treshchikova).

Galina Zhary’s husband is Andrey Zhary. According to open sources, Andrey Zhary lists his place of residence as Toronto (Canada).

Furthermore, a direct relative of Andrey Zhary, Olga Drozh (Zhary), permanently resides in Dnipro (Ukraine).

4. The Huawei Partner as a Link

Vladimir Rubanov is the Technical Director of Huawei Russia.

Rubanov serves as the link between Chinese suppliers, the Russian "manufacturer," and international scientific circles.

At the same time, Rubanov holds a leadership position in a company that is a key supplier of components for T8.

A closed loop: China → Huawei → Rubanov → T8 → Russian strategic enterprises.

5. Systemic Risks and Conclusions

The activities of the T8 Group create the following risks: