Trump's son was hunting with Putin's companion. In Mongolia, they shot the endangered argali sheep

According to the findings of the Financial Times, Kremlov stayed with Trump Jr. hunting for two days in late August. The daily based its report on, among others, on interviews with Mongolian officials and guides, flight data, social media posts and open source analysis.

The Russian businessman was to fly by charter to Ulaanbaatar after the IBA conference in Kazakhstan, and then by helicopter to reach western Mongolia, to the camp where Trump Jr. was staying.

The Moscow Times reported that during the trip, Trump Jr. was supposed to hunt argali - a wild mountain sheep whose population is protected and listed on the IUCN Red List.

Male friendship, not business

Representative Donald Trump Jr. told the Financial Times that the relationship between the two men was private. As he noted, they met through a mutual friend from the hunting community, and they share interests such as hunting, fishing and outdoor activities.

However, Holden Triplet, former director of counterintelligence at the US National Security Council, was quoted by the newspaper and pointed out that contacts of people close to the American authorities with people linked to Russia could be used by the Russian services.

In September, ProPublica reported that Kremlov was a guest at Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding. and Bettina Anderson in the Bahamas. According to this investigation, the Russian businessman was to pay, among others: for renting a private island, fireworks display and other elements of the celebration, the cost of which was estimated to reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. Only a true friend is capable of such gestures. The US president himself is of the same opinion, stating that there is absolutely nothing wrong with paying for a party for a friend and has done it many times.

Who is Mr. Kremlov?

Umar Kremlov, whose real name is Umarali Lutfulloyev, has headed the IBA since 2020. In the past, he headed the Russian Boxing Federation. He is described by the media as having close ties to Russian power elites.

The International Olympic Committee revoked the IBA's license in 2023, pointing to unresolved problems related to, among others, with management, finances and the integrity of the judicial process. The Kremlin is also associated with the Russian bookmaking sector and the Rolf dealership.

On its way to the top in business and sports, the Kremlin became closer to the Kremlin's nationalist environment. He became involved with the ultranationalist motorcycle club "Nocne Wolki" (whose unofficial protector is Putin himself). It was there that he met a key figure in his career - Alexei Rubezhny, head of the presidential security service.

In April 2026, Putin officially awarded him the state Order of Friendship. Moreover, the Kremlin is sometimes included in official delegations accompanying the Putins on key foreign trips.