Sanctioned Russian billionaire Vladimir Potanin faced a legal defeat in London as a judge rejected his attempt to delay his ex-wife's $5 billion divorce proceedings. The ruling clears the way for a final hearing in one of the world's most expensive divorce cases.

Potanin, who built his fortune through Norilsk Nickel, has been seeking to postpone the proceedings while appealing related decisions. His ex-wife's legal team argued that further delays would be prejudicial to their case. The London court's decision represents a significant setback for Potanin's strategy to manage the divorce through multiple jurisdictions.

The case highlights the complex intersection of high-stakes divorce litigation and international sanctions. As one of Russia's wealthiest oligarchs, Potanin's assets have been under scrutiny since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The outcome could have major implications for how courts handle divorce cases involving sanctioned billionaires with complex international holdings.