S ergei Katsiev is a Russian billionaire whose fortune is primarily derived from his partnership in the Megapolis Group, Russia's largest distributor of tobacco products. A trained medical doctor by education, Katsiev ventured into business during the tumultuous post-Soviet 1990s. He formed a highly successful and enduring partnership with fellow billionaire Igor Kesaev, and together they built a vast business empire focused on consumer goods and retail.

The cornerstone of their success is the Megapolis Group, which established a near-monopolistic control over cigarette distribution across the Russian Federation. The company secured exclusive long-term contracts with global tobacco giants such as Philip Morris International, Japan Tobacco International, and Imperial Brands, making it an indispensable link between manufacturers and retailers. Beyond tobacco, Katsiev, along with Kesaev, was a major shareholder in the Dixy Group, one of Russia's largest food retail chains, before its sale. His career exemplifies the creation of immense wealth through the consolidation and professionalization of distribution networks in Russia's emerging consumer market.