Is the Boy His Father’s Secret? Lavrenty Zakharov Story

By Ayman Okeil

The city of Geneva is currently witnessing mobilization campaigns targeting the young Russian man Lavrenty Zakharov, and those targeting this young man are using misleading information to reach results consistent with their goals. The allegations being promoted by an active lobby in Geneva include that Zakharov has been working at United Nations Institute for Disarmament since May 2023. However, after checking UN disarmament website, it appears Zakharov did not actually work at the institute, but rather trained there from May to September 2023. He has also previously trained as a security analyst at the World Food Program, UN Department of Political Affairs, and UN Mine Action Service. Zakharov holds an MA in Conflict Studies from the London School of Economics. Those spreading false information about Zakharov use personal details, such as the fact that he owns a 100 square meter, 3-bedroom apartment worth 1.5 million pounds near Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, which he shares with his mother. The real estate prices in that area explain the apartment’s high value.

The key question is why this young Russian man is being targeted. The answer appears to lie in the nature of his father’s work – Alexander Zakharov is the maker of the Russian Lancet Kamikaze drone and the chief designer of the Zala Aero Group, a Russian drone manufacturer. His father’s company CST is also part of the Kalashnikov Group, the well-known Russian rifle maker.

This is not meant to defend Lavrenty Zakharov or his father’s positions, but rather to highlight two concerns that attracted my attention in the story of this young Russian man – whose ambition seems to work in international organizations such as United Nations. First, Zakharov seems to be a victim of disinformation from a Geneva-based lobby amidst the broader political conflict between the US/allies and Russia. Second, the question arises as to whether his Russian heritage is the real reason for these campaigns, which could undermine his chances of obtaining a job in international organizations like the UN, which he appears to aspire to.

There are differing perspectives on this story. Some argue that as long as Zakharov is not involved in violence and does not support the Russia-Ukraine war, he does not deserve such fierce attacks, raising questions about whether the son of American firearms inventor Samuel Colt should be held responsible for the victims of his father’s invention. Others believe that being the son of a man who manufactures drones for the Russian army, Zakharov deserves this attack based on the logic that the boy is his father’s secret and will inevitably defend Russian interests even if his passion is limited to working in international organizations.  Ultimately, it may be unwise to judge people solely based on their family ties. As long as Zakharov is not accused of specific wrongdoings, it may be more prudent to evaluate him based on his own actions and ambitions, such as his aspiration to work in international organizations or civil society.