Jamie Oliver’s Operation Russia is nearing completion, with plans firmly in place to open his first Jamie’s Italian outposts in Moscow and St. Petersburg next year.

It’s no surprise that Oliver should set his sights on Russia for the expansion of his rapidly growing empire, given that he enjoys star status in the country and his cookbooks often appear on bestseller lists.

His publication Jamie Magazine likewise launched its inaugural Russian edition with the December issue.

The magazine has also hit markets in North America, Germany and Holland.

Earlier this year, Oliver tweeted the Russian sign for his restaurant with the message, “To Russia with love, think I’m gonna need a translator and editor.”

Meanwhile, the celebrity chef has teamed up with Russian restaurant operator Ginza Projects, which will oversee the set-up of his brand in the country’s biggest cities.

Jamie Oliver will also be opening his first outpost in Singapore next summer, and another location in Perth, Australia. Currently, Jamie’s Italian operates in Dubai, Dublin and Sydney in addition to several locations across the UK.