Trump Jr. and Kremlin-linked oligarch Kremlev hunted in Mongolia

Key points

• Donald Trump Jr. and Umar Kremlev spent two days together at a hunting camp in western Mongolia in late August 2026.
• Kremlev, president of the International Boxing Association, traveled from Kazakhstan to Ulaanbaatar by charter, accompanied by Arthur Martirosov, a partner in the US-sanctioned fund Voskhod.
• Trump Jr. hunted an endangered Altai argali and met with Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh during the trip.
• A spokesperson for Trump Jr. stated the relationship is a personal friendship based on hunting and outdoor recreation, not a business relationship.
• Counterintelligence expert Holden Triplett warned that Russian security services could weaponize high-value relationships, regardless of the individuals' intentions.
• Kremlev previously funded part of Trump Jr.'s wedding in the Bahamas, a matter under investigation by US Democrats, though Trump Sr. claimed the money was repaid.

Background

In September 2026, it emerged that Umar Kremlev had contributed to the costs of Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding in the Bahamas. US Democrats launched an investigation into the funding, while President Trump stated that his son had repaid the money. Kremlev, whose real surname is Lutfulloyev, has led the International Boxing Association since 2020 and acquired assets in the car dealership and lottery sectors through ties to Russian security officials. The IBA was stripped of Olympic boxing rights in 2023 due to financial transparency concerns.

How outlets are covering it

The Financial Times, The Daily Beast, and Meduza all reported the hunting trip based on flight data, social media posts, and local sources. The Daily Beast emphasized Kremlev's role in funding Trump Jr.'s wedding and the security risks of the association. Meduza detailed Kremlev's business ties to Russian security services and the IBA's financial scandals. Ukrainian Pravda focused on the counterintelligence warnings and the lack of photographic evidence of the pair together. All outlets noted that Trump Jr. and Kremlev were cautious about being photographed together, and that Trump Jr. continued the trip without Kremlev after two days.

Why it matters

The trip highlights ongoing concerns about connections between the US presidential family and Kremlin-linked figures. Counterintelligence experts warn that such relationships, even if personal, can be exploited by foreign intelligence services. The incident adds to scrutiny of Kremlev's financial ties to the Trump family and the IBA's governance issues.

What to watch

US Democrats have promised to investigate the wedding funding and potential conflicts of interest. The US Attorney General has stated no investigation will be conducted into the wedding itself. Further scrutiny may focus on Kremlev's business dealings and the IBA's financial transparency.