Russia's most popular social network, VK, has fallen into the realm of state-controlled gas giant Gazprom.
Authorities allowed a deal between privately held USM Holding and Sogaz Insurance — indirectly controlled by Gazprom, and its executive chairman, Alexei Miller, also heads the insurer's board.
Sogaz will hold a 45% stake in Russian investment vehicle MF Tekhnologii, which holds a majority share in VK, originally named Vkontakte.
Last month Gazprom arm Gazprombank bought a 36% shareholding in MF Tekhnologii for 12.8 billion roubles ($173 million).
VK draws more than 40 million visits each month, ahead of Instagram with 34 million visits and Facebook with 21 million, according to Russia's Mediascope.
Gazprom Media already controls major Russian television and its parent's tentacles are set to tighten their grip on the mediasphere.
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