Billionaire Russian oligarch's former spouse asserts a claim over his vast fortune.

In a high-stakes legal battle, the former wife of Russia's richest oligarch, Vladimir Potanin, is demanding a multi-billion dollar stake in Russian mining company Norilsk Nickel. Natalya Potanina has been fighting for her claim since their divorce in 2014, with the case escalating to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.

The journey began in 2019 when Natalya Potanina's lawsuit was initially dismissed by the High Court of London. However, the London Court of Appeal overturned the ruling in 2021, granting Potanina the right to have her case heard in British jurisdiction. This decision was upheld by a narrow 3-2 majority in the Supreme Court the following year.

Despite the court's decisions, the specific details of the divorce settlement regarding the amount Natalya Potanin received are not specified. What is clear, however, is that she is demanding 50% of the value of her ex-husband's shares in Norilsk Nickel, which amounts to around $4.5 billion. She is also demanding 50% of all dividends her ex-husband received from Norilsk Nickel since 2014, and Russian real estate worth approximately $150 million.

The defendant, Potanin, claims that Natalya Potanin received $84 million in the divorce. However, Potanina's lawyer expressed delight at the court's decision and hopes for a swift resolution to the conflict.

This case has become one of the most expensive divorce cases globally, with the demands making it a significant legal and financial battle. It is worth noting that the plaintiff received less than 1% of the family's total assets in the divorce.

Natalya Potanina has significantly severed ties with Russia, which has given her the right to make this claim in British jurisdiction. Potanina's lawyer also expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, stating that it was a significant victory for women's rights and financial independence in divorce cases.

The case is ongoing, and no new information about its progression is available at this time. However, the conclusion reached by the London Appeal Court on Thursday marks a significant milestone in the legal battle between the two parties.