Yukos's stake in Rosneft was a leftover from the knock-down sale, in 2004, of most of its main subsidiary to a farcical front company, which was itself acquired by Rosneft soon afterwards.

2004年时公司以赔本价出售了自身的资产，令人瞠目结舌的是，大部分都被一家幌子公司买走，随后不久这家公司又被Rosneft兼并。本周拍卖的尤科斯在Rosneft的股份，就是那次拍卖的漏网之鱼。