A private Russian oil corporation appears to be falling under the control of the Russian government. If the company, Russneft, moves that direction, it would represent the latest in a string of strong-handed moves on the part of Moscow to consolidate energy production under the purview of the state.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has forced Russian oil magnate Mikhail Gutseriyev to flee the country, alleging back-tax charges and issuing an international warrant for his arrest. Meanwhile, Russneft, Gutseriyev’s profitable private oil company, has been swiftly gobbled up by aluminum tycoon Oleg Deripaska, a cozy confederate of Putin’s.

The whole episode is eerily reminiscent of what befell energy baron Mikhail Khodorkovsky three years ago.

In fact, bullying private oil corporations mafia-style is nothing new for the Kremlin. According to a recent survey by Russia’s Alpha Bank, the Russian government has direct control of 44 percent of Russia’s oil production.

But the battle for control of petrol production facilities within Russia is far from over. According to Moscow-based analyst Oleg Maximov, “The Kremlin wants to create a national champion in oil that could compete on a global scale.”

Enter Gutseriyev and his ruble-multiplying hydrocarbon conglomerate. With Russneft now in the hands of a Putin loyalist, there is next to no doubt where it will ultimately wind up: under state control.

With oil prices skyrocketing and Russia scrounging for more petroleum profits from every quarter, watch for the unquenchable maw of the Kremlin to continue devouring energy companies—through whatever means necessary.